Written by Linda Christman
Posted June 19, 2024
The Panther Creek Power Plant in Nesquehoning has asked for permission to burn tires as fuel. The plant has been burning waste coal since 1992 and now proposes to add tire shreds to the fuel mix. Waste coal burned as fuel produces tons of pollution. Adding tire shreds to the fuel mix will add an even deadlier class of pollutants. The plant uses the energy produced to mine bitcoin. This is an energy-intensive process which is of little benefit to the citizens of Carbon County.
Some Facts About The Panther Creek Power Plant
In 2023, the Plant emitted 291.5 tons of Nitrous Oxides; 430.4 tons of Sulfur Dioxide; and, according to the EPA, the plant released 366.4 lbs. of deadly Mercury into local waterways.
The Mercury is a result of the toxic ash that is left after the waste coal and tires are burned. This ash is deposited in a slurry pond in Nesquehoning. For every 100 tons of waste coal burned, 85 tons remain as toxic ash. Because it takes three times as much waste coal to produce the same amount of energy as commercial grade coal, the plant emits far more ash and air pollution.
Mercury is not the only toxin found in the coal ash. The ash also typically includes Arsenic, Lead, Radium, Selenium, and other heavy metals. These chemicals are linked to cancer, heart disease, neurological damage, and reproductive failure.
Typically, burning waste coal produces particulates which are microscopic pieces of burning soot, Cadmium, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Lead and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons which is a very dangerous class of chemicals. These chemicals and particulates cause heart problems and respiratory illness and cancer. [Note:None of the chemicals above are mentioned by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) so we have no idea how much is emitted]
Note; Save Carbon County has filed suit against the owners of the Panther Creek Power Plant for harm to the environment and harm to the citizens of Nesquehoning. And we have filed suit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for failing to be a reliable trustee of the environment. If you would like to know more visit our FB page or our website at savecarboncounty.com
Editor’s Note (Michael Sauers): On June 11, 1972 a nonferrous smelting and refining plant was slated for construction in close proximity to Panther Creek Power Plant. It became the Tonolli Corporation which operated a secondary lead smelter and lead-acid battery recycling facility from 1974 to 1985. This became a Superfund site around 1989 due to cadmium and arsenic pollution. It remains a Superfund site to this day. Tonolli Corporation declared bankruptcy in 1985.
Arrangements for the Tonolli Corporation to locate in this location were made through a joint effort of John and Joseph Kovatch, owners of the land, the Carbon-Schuylkill lndustrial Development Corporation, P.P. & L.,the PA Chamber of Commerce and Carbon County officials.