The former power plant in Springdale could still be imploded, but a judge has ordered more government oversight and a public meeting before that happens.

In an order filed Sunday, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. requires the two sides — Springdale residents who want to block the implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station, Charah Solutions, property owner of the former power plant, demolition contractor Grant Mackay Co. and explosives subcontractor Controlled Demolition Inc. — to meet and discuss a joint comprehensive safety plan for the implosion of the boiler house.

They have 10 days to do so.

Sixteen borough residents requested in September that the judge block the planned implosion of the boiler house, the largest structure still standing on the property. They allege the June 2 implosion of the smokestacks caused damage to the community and, they say, allowing the boiler house to be imploded would cause additional harm. Defendants in the case say implosion by explosives is the safest way to demolish the structure and contend the residents haven’t met requirements for an injunction to be granted.

McVay wrote in his order that the plaintiffs met requirements for a preliminary injunction and denied the companies’ request to dissolve the injunction.

McVay ordered that the joint comprehensive safety plan be reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Protection and Allegheny County Health Department and that both entities attend a public meeting. The public meeting will provide the plaintiffs and other residents an opportunity to be heard regarding the public safety plan.

The DEP must condition its approval of a blasting permit on meeting all terms of the safety plan, plus any terms it believes are necessary to safely implode the boiler house, McVay wrote.

Once the safety plan is submitted, and after the public meeting is held, attorneys will file a request for a hearing for McVay to consider dissolving the injunction.

“In summary, I am asking that the responsible government agencies take a second look at the proposed boiler house implosion because, in fairness, they have not yet been presented with the specific concerns raised by the plaintiffs’ experts during the hearing,” McVay wrote. “I do not think anyone can say with absolute certainty that there is no longer asbestos in the boiler house, and I am concerned that there probably is.

“Regardless, I am doubtful that further asbestos remediation attempts could be conducted now given the boiler house’s weakened state.”

McVay said he also is concerned that more follow-up monitoring requirements haven’t been implemented as a condition of implosion.

“Despite my concerns, I also must admit that I am not an expert,” McVay wrote. “But I do not think it is unreasonable to ask that the government experts charged with protecting public health to look at what the plaintiffs’ experts have to say before making the final decision to approve the boiler house blasting permit.”

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs and Charah didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday night.

Officials from Springdale also couldn’t immediately be contacted Sunday evening.

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