State agency claims one of the violations took place during a recent multi-day court hearing about the plant’s operations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has notified Erie Coke Corp. of three new violations of its current operating permit including one that the DEP said occurred during a six-day administrative law hearing on the embattled plant’s operations.
The notices of violation were filed on July 25 and sent to Erie Coke, located at the foot of East Avenue, via certified mail. The notices were also posted Tuesday on the DEP’s website.
The violations, according to the letters, dealt with air contaminants and particulate matter emissions from the coke plant.
One of the violations occurred on July 12, according to the DEP. On that date, Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board proceedings were underway to determine whether Erie Coke can continue operating while it appeals DEP’s denial of the plant’s operating permit.
A ruling is expected sometime after Aug. 7.
Other violations at the plant took place on July 8 and July 9, according to the DEP.
Lori L. McNabb, an environmental group manager for the DEP’s air quality program, signed the notification letters, which were addressed to Ed Nesselbeck, Erie Coke’s environmental director.
