Three days of testimony presented in fly ash case

Jan 31 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Thomas Leskin The News-Item, Shamokin, Pa.

An appeal backed by Butler Township resident Robert Gadinski and the Environmental Integrity Project on a permit to dump coal combustion waste, often called fly ash, in Locust Summit was heard by the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board last week in Harrisburg.

Gadinski, a retired hydrogeologist, presented his case during the three-day hearing, Tuesday through Thursday. He urged the board to make changes to the August 2008 permit the state Department of Environmental Protection issued to Gilberton Coal Co. to dump waste into an unlined pit, which he claims could eventually contaminate the surrounding area and water in private wells.

The fly ash the coal company wants to dispose of in the strip mine filling project contains 20 percent of waste produced from the burning of coal and 80 percent of carbonation shale and rock.

It also includes various amount of metals that can be harmful to people and animals, Gadinski argues, and have been known to cause cancer in those living in areas near an unlined waste disposal site.

"We presented a strong and compelling case," Gadinski said Friday. "We feel we demonstrated a connection between the used site and the aquifer. Also, there is the fact that site has not been adequately characterized."

A representative of the Environmental Hearing Board said Friday their hearings are done differently than most court cases and no decisions are made directly following a hearing.

In 21 days, those who filed the appeal will get transcripts from the hearing and will have 30 days to prepare post-hearing briefs, which will then sent back to the hearing board.

After that, the board will make a decision on the permit, and in this case, can decide whether or not to make changes to the permit.

Until the decision is made in the coming months, no coal combustion waste disposal will take place in the Locust Summit area.