Robindale Energy is developing a Government Financed Construction Contract (GFCC) in South Huntingdon (“Air, water concerns voiced over proposed South Huntingdon coal refuse reclamation,” Feb. 5, TribLIVE). I live downstream of the site. At first, it sounded like a good idea: industry taking advantage of a government program to remove lingering coal refuse. But this GFCC is not the whole story.

There are two adjacent land parcels that Robindale has demonstrated a keen interest in. If it acquires them, it could launch a 100-plus-acre facility for processing coal refuse — just the kind of project we residents might oppose.

In 2017, Robindale submitted a preapplication for a coal preparation facility along Sewickley Creek. When the Department of Environmental Protection noted application deficiencies, Robindale neglected to respond, and still has not shared if it plans to resubmit.

In 2018, Robindale offered to lease 117 acres from the Clean Stream Foundation (CSF). The company wants to pay a tiny per-ton fee to dump coal refuse in CSF’s mine drainage treatment system. This proposal is still under consideration.

It’s telling that Robindale asks to remove old refuse while looking to buy up adjacent properties to spread new toxic waste upon. Perhaps this GFCC is not the blessing we expected, and instead an effort to pull a sheet over any concerns residents have.

Stanley M. Seigel

South Huntingdon

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