What?: DEP is holding a public hearing on the air quality permit it intends to issue for the MarkWest Smith Compressor Station in Washington County. This is a rare opportunity to face the DEP and MarkWest and tell them what you think about compressor station air pollution.

When/Where: The hearing will take place Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Barto Post 6553 at 65 Run St. in Slovan, Washington County. (Note this location was changed from the originally announced location.) Prior to the hearing, at 6:30 p.m., MarkWest will be holding an “open house” to attempt to give their PR spin on this project. If you are not able to appear at the hearing, you can submit written comments by May 11, 2013.

Why Does It Matter?: Compressor stations are a significant source of air pollution. Compressing the gas requires large engines, which are typically powered by natural gas. Emissions from gas-fired compression engines are somewhat similar to emissions from diesel engines. Picture a lot full of 18-wheelers idling at full throttle 24x7. The equipment that removes water from gas can also be a significant source of air pollution. Emissions from compressor stations can include nitrogen oxides, hazardous air pollutants, formaldehyde, and other hydrocarbons that are known to cause cancer or be dangerous to health.

Several families who live close to compressor stations have suffered serious health problems, including rashes (both outside the body and inside in places like the nose), nosebleeds, vertigo, neurological problems, and toxins that have shown up in the blood.

What Do I Need to Do?: It’s important to prepare what you have to say in advance. You will have no more than 5 minutes. At a previous compressor station hearing in the Southwest Region, the midstream company used the “open house” to “answer the concerns” of citizens in advance, and thus to disuade some residents from testifying. The hearing is supposed to be for the public. MarkWest has already had all the opportunity it needs to present its point of view on this project to the DEP. Please write down what you have to say, and say it anyway at the hearing, regardless of what MarkWest may say at the “open house”.

DEP has requested that those wanting to testify should register in advance: “Those who wish to present oral testimony should contact DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister at 412-442-4203 or register that evening prior to the hearing. Only those who register can give testimony at the public hearing.” You can also register to testify by sending E-mail to John Poister <jpoister@pa.gov> with your name, address, E-mail, and phone number.

If you are not able to attend the hearing and want to send written comments instead, send them to Alan Binder, <abinder@pa.gov> PA DEP Bureau of Air Quality, Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 by May 11, 2013.

Where is it?: Smith Compressor Station is located at latitude/longitude 40.41777778,-80.35666667, <http://mapq.st/11GaOUv>, Smith Twp, Washington County.

What is the legal definition of air pollution? “The presence in the outdoor atmosphere of any form of contaminant, including, but not limited to, the discharging from stacks, chimneys, openings, buildings, structures, open fires, vehicles, processes or any other source of any smoke, soot, fly ash, dust, cinders, dirt, noxious or obnoxious acids, fumes, oxides, gases, vapors, odors, toxic, hazardous or radioactive substances, waste or other matter in a place, manner or concentration inimical or which may be inimical to public health, safety or welfare or which is or may be injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.” (25 Pa. Code § 121.1.) [Emphasis added.]

How much pollution is DEP proposing to allow Smith Compressor Station to Emit? “Potential to emit from the facility (including previously authorized sources) is estimated to be 50.1 tons of nitrogen oxides, 56.9 tons of carbon monoxide, 43.6 tons of volatile organic compounds, 5.5 tons of particulate matter, 6.74 tons of total hazardous air pollutants, 1.9 tons of formaldehyde, 0.51 ton of benzene, and 91,607 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.” (<http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol43/43-14/620a.html>.)

Where do all these tons per year of pollution go? What happens to them? What happens to people nearby? Good questions. DEP is doing a rather poor job of answering them. That’s one reason why we need to show up and ask the DEP questions like this face to face.

What should I talk about at the hearing? (I’m not an expert on air pollution!) You may not be an expert on air pollution, but you are certainly an expert on your own life and your family’s life. If you have experience of life near a compressor station, or experience of the kind of emissions a compressor station can yield, tell the DEP about it. These people do not themselves live nearby these facilities they authorize to spew countless chemicals into the air; their lives are not affected. If you don’t have experience of life near a compressor station, explain to the DEP what clean air means to you in your life. Especially tell the DEP what your concerns are regarding the effect of air pollution on children. Children are much more sensitive than adults to all forms of chemical exposure. So-called “safe” exposure limits to chemicals are often formulated for adults, not children. Think about the legal definition of air pollution above, and tell the DEP your story in your own words about why you are concerned about air pollution.

Background: For those willing to dig into the details, here is where to find the documents:

PA Bulletn Notice for the hearing
DEP eFACTS Authorization Record for this permit application
MarkWest Air Quality Permit Application for this permit
DEP File Review Memo for this Application
DEP Proposed Permit

MANY THANKS to Clean Air Council for providing the File Review documents!

Related Documents From Other Compressor Station Permits: