New Right-To-Know Request Data Shows Massive Influx of Natural Gas Power Plants in Pennsylvania

Loophole Exempts All 42 from Pennsylvania Clean Power Plan

Pennsylvanians Against Fracking Calls on Governor Wolf to Take Dirty Gas out of Clean Power Plan

Pennsylvania – On July 27, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection responded to a Right-To-Know request for a list of all natural gas power plants considered and/or approved since January 2014, the date after which new plants can be exempt from the state’s Clean Power Plan compliance plan. The agency reported that 42 new plants that would add approximately 8000 megawatts to the grid were approved. The agency approved every plant it considered.

Due to a loophole in the Clean Power Plan, power plants since January 8, 2014 can be left out of the plan altogether, should the state exercise its discretion. Twenty one of the plants are already guaranteed exemption from the plan because their capacity falls at or below the minimum 25 megawatts required before a plant is subject to the plan.

The Right-To-Know request reveals that Pennsylvania has every intention of continuing to approve natural gas power plants, which will lead to continued fracking, expansion of pipelines and related infrastructure, combustion, and dangerously high amounts of methane being released into the atmosphere.

An investigation of media and industry reports conducted by Pennsylvanians Against Fracking found that only four of the power plants are coal plant conversions, Panda Hummel Station, NRG Shawville, NRG New Castle, and Talen Brunner Island. A 43rd plant on the list, Armstrong Power LLC, appears to be an existing natural gas power plant that is adding five diesel emergency generator engines. The coalition’s investigation also turned up 15 additional plants not included on the DEP’s list. Some are listed in industry reports as being in the conceptual phase, meaning more plants could be coming.

Pennsylvanians Against Fracking has been addressing the issues with the Clean Power Plan in a series of statements.

The coalition’s third statement, released today reads, “The proposed plants are but the beginning of what lies ahead for Pennsylvania if the state adopts a Clean Power Plan that places natural gas as a clean energy fuel. The intent is clear; natural gas will be the next energy to power not only Pennsylvania but the nation as well, to the detriment of the development of renewable energy sources and despite climate change being the singular health and environmental threat the world faces.”

Pennsylvanians Against Fracking has also created a sign-on letter, to be delivered to Governor Wolf, calling on him to direct the DEP to remove natural gas drilling, infrastructure, and power plants from the state’s plan to comply with the Clean Power Plan. Organizations can sign on to the letter here. Individuals can sign on to the petition here.

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About Pennsylvanians Against Fracking

Pennsylvanians Against Fracking is a statewide coalition of organizations, institutions, andbusinesses calling for a halt to fracking in the Commonwealth. Steering Committee member organizations include Berks Gas Truth, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Food & Water Watch,Marcellus Outreach Butler, Marcellus Protest, Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Water and Air, and Thomas Merton Center. Learn more about Pennsylvanians Against Fracking at paagainstfracking.org.

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