Concerns with the Allegheny Energy Center Air Permit

There are a number of unresolved issues with the Allegheny Energy Center power plant air permit. ACHD should: 

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• Lower the proposed limit on excess ammonia pollution resulting from controls for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. When ammonia enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing, or skin contact, it reacts to produce ammonium hydroxide, which is very corrosive and damages cells in the body. The ammonia limit should match similar requirements the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently included in a plan approval for the Renovo Energy Center in Clinton County. These two power plants are comparable, as they both use the same type of combustion turbine and the DEP has demonstrated that other comparable facilities can meet this ammonia requirement.

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• Require continuous VOC monitoring at the plant, since it is a requirement for other large facilities in an area with impaired air quality. Currently, the facility is only required to test VOC emissions once every two years. This is unacceptable, as it could allow harmful pollution to exceed permit requirements unchecked, burdening residents forced to live near the proposed plant.

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• Perform a cumulative impact risk assessment of air pollution from the plant and other nearby industrial facilities and operations, including oil and gas infrastructure. There are environmental justice neighborhoods close to the site that deserve to understand the cumulative health risks posed by the power plant.