DEP fines companies involved in implosion of smokestacks at former Springdale power plant

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday a civil penalty in connection to the June 2 implosion of two smokestacks at the former power plant property in Springdale.

According to the DEP, Cheswick Plant Environmental Redevelopment Group, Controlled Demolition Inc. and Grant Mackay Co. violated the state’s Solid Waste Management Act during the implosionat the former Cheswick Generating Station on June 2.

The DEP found that, when the smokestacks fell, debris from the site damaged several nearby buildings and a thick coating of dust covered numerous properties, according to a consent order and agreement announced Thursday.

The debris and dust were considered waste under the state’s environmental laws and regulations. Depositing waste without DEP authorization constitutes a violation, the statement said.

The DEP said $21,600 of the $39,100 civil penalty will go toward park and recreation projects in Springdale. The remainder of that money will go to the Commonwealth’s Solid Waste Abatement Fund.

“As we pursued environmental enforcement, DEP prioritized directing the majority of the penalty money back to the community,” said Jim Miller, the DEP’s southwest regional director. “Springdale Borough will be able to decide how best to use these funds for park and recreation projects.”

Representatives from CDI and Grant Mackay did not return messages seeking comment. A representative from Charah Solutions, a Louisville, Ky., environmental remediation firm that owns CPERG, said he had no additional comment.

State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, said that when the chimneys were imploded, her office quickly received calls from constituents in the area. She said she called in the DEP to investigate.

Steele said the waste deposited onto people’s properties was a violation and is glad to see the DEP take action.

“I think fines were appropriate here,” she said.