DEP Publishes Appeal Notice For 2023 Consent Order With Stronghold Digital Mining On Removal Of Coal Ash, Imposing $28,800 Penalty At Waste Coal Power Plant In Venango County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 9 PA Bulletin announcing individuals may file an appeal of the consent order and agreement it signed on November 9, 2023 with Scrubgrass Reclamation Company, LP for the removal of waste coal ash that has accumulated at the Scrubgrass Waste Coal Power Plant In Scrubgrass Township, Venango County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1262)

The Scrubgrass Power Plant is now owned by Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc., a cryptocurrency company.

The COA identifies and addresses coal ash that has accumulated for more than one year and exceeded the limits of that pad and requires removal of coal ash in accordance with an approved schedule. 

It also addresses approximately 3.52 acres of earth disturbance activities associated with constructing a small scale solar power facility that Scrubgrass conducted prior to obtaining all of the neces- sary permit from the Department. 

Specifically, the COA requires Scrubgrass to, among other things: (1) remove all of the coal ash under a schedule that provides for complete removal by January 1, 2026; (2) submit an administratively complete NPDES permit application for the solar project within 60 days of the COA; and (3) pay a civil penalty in the amount of $28,800.

The COA is available for public review. An electronic copy or hard copy of the COA may be requested by contacting Kyle Smith at (814) 332-6107 or kyasmit@pa.gov. 

The notice says individuals aggrieved by this action have 30 days from the notice to file an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information. (PA Bulletin, page 1262)

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Related Article:

-- PA Enviro Groups File Appeal For Removal Of Coal Ash 'Mountain’ At Stronghold Digital Mining Scrubgrass Cryptocurrency Power Facility In Venango County  [PaEN] 

[Posted: March 8, 2024]  PA Environment Digest