FirstEnergy pays maximum fine for 'black rain'

Aug 28 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

FirstEnergy Generation Corp. was fined $25,000 -- the legal maximum -- for a "black rain" that fell on 28 Beaver County homes and properties in June, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced Monday.

The fine will be paid to the Clean Air Fund, which finances air quality improvements in Pennsylvania. FirstEnergy also will increase the number of inspections it conducts, add additional monitors and instrumentation, and clean equipment more frequently to prevent future problems at its Bruce Mansfield power plant in Shippingport.

The June incident was the second time large amounts of gray, gritty material from the company's power plant fell on Shippingport and Raccoon. The first incident, in July 2006, affected more than 300 homes. FirstEnergy earlier this year paid the maximum $25,000 for that incident.

The state had the material tested and found that it contained small amounts of arsenic and other heavy metals consistent with those found in the smokestack. The state Department of Health reviewed the test and found it did not pose a public health threat.

The environmental group PennFuture is conducting an engineering analysis of the plant to determine how to prevent more pollution violations. PennFuture announced earlier this year that it would sue FirstEnergy if the company did not make sufficient changes to prevent pollution problems.

"We're not convinced that the DEP style of enforcement is leading to a resolution," said Charles McPhedran, senior attorney for PennFuture. "I don't think the ($25,000) penalty is significant."

FirstEnergy, based in Akron, reported a $1.25 billion profit in 2006.