DEP acknowledges flying debris from implosion in Springdale was violation; agency waiting on test results

The flyrock and debris from the Springdale smokestack demolition earlier this month was a violation of state environmental regulations, said a spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Protection.

The former Cheswick Generating Station smokestacks, which stood about 750 and 550 feet tall, fell in a cleared coal yard north of the property where officials had planned for them to go. An air pressure blast took out trees and power lines along Pittsburgh Street in Springdale, and some in the area lost power.

DEP spokeswoman Lauren Camarda said the agency regulates blasting and explosives used in demolitions. It issued a permit to Controlled Demolition Inc. for the smokestack demolition June 2.

“Immediately following the demolition, DEP began visiting with residents to survey damage from flyrock and debris launched during the demolition, which is a violation of Pennsylvania environmental regulations,” Camarda said.

She said DEP officials have taken dust samples and are awaiting the results. The agency has sampled debris — mainly around Pittsburgh Street and Duquesne Court — that had visible amounts of dust or had not yet been cleaned. Because of the active investigation and the fact that sampling locations could reveal personal identifiable information, DEP is not releasing specific sampling locations, Camarda said.

She did not have an estimate for when the analysis would be complete.

An attempt to reach Controlled Demolition Inc. officials was unsuccessful.

DEP has authority to take action against the operator, but as crews continue to collect information and investigate, no enforcement action has been taken, Camarda said.

Officials have said that asbestos had been removed prior to the demolition. The Allegheny County Health Department posted reports on its website, which granted clearance for the demolition based on visual inspections and data from an air-monitoring contractor.

Camarda said DEP staff advised residents who had health concerns to contact their physician or the state’s health department. If residents conveyed an air quality concern to DEP staff, they were referred to the county’s health department, which oversees air quality.

Health officials said previously that the dust kicked up by the demolition affected air quality for a short time, but the dust cloud dissipated as winds moved the air mass. Nearby residents were advised prior to the demolition that the event would bring dust and warned to close windows and doors.

Residents had until June 9 to contact Charah Solutions, the company remediating the property, with their concerns that the demolition had on their property. Charah representatives said previously that when they were made aware of a claim, they immediately reached out to the property owner and worked to resolve the issue.

Charah officials did not respond to requests for comment for this story.