The Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday posted three Notice of Violation letters it issued to Erie Coke Corp. The letters are dated July 25, and address violations of air quality regulations that occurred on July 8, July 9, and July 12.
According to the letters:
Visible fugitive air contaminants of greater than 20 percent opacity were observed escaping from the coke-side shed. DEP noted that the violation was made during an inspection July 8.
Then on July 9, DEP inspectors observed fugitive particulate matter emissions visible outside Erie Coke’s property.
On July 12, visible fugitive air contaminants greater than 20 percent opacity were observed escaping from the coke-side shed.
The notice of violation letters come in the wake of hearings before both the state Environmental Hearing Board and the Court of Common pleas. The EHB case addresses the company’s appeal of DEP’s July 1 notice that it would be denying ECC’s Title V operating permit following what the department deemed ongoing air emissions compliance issues. In the Common Pleas case, the DEP is seeking closure of the plant.
Editor’s Note: Several news outlets have now filed stories about these newest Notice of Violation letters. Here are the associated links:
DEP Issues New Violation Notices to Erie Coke, GoErie.com
DEP Posts 3 More Violations Against Erie Coke, Erie News Now