Three virtual Informal Public Conferences (IPCs) were held by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) in the past month for Consol Mining’s latest three expansions. The Bailey, Enlow, and Harvey Mines all applied for development mining permits to set up for future longwall panels. In total, roughly 7,000 acres of land within Greene County, PA is included in the three expansions. Residents were encouraged to come to the CCJ office if they lacked sufficient internet access to attend the virtual IPCs.
Development mining permits are the first step in the coal mining permit process. If approved, the company will use this type of permit to set up the mining area for the longwall panels. On average, a longwall panel is 1,000 feet wide by 10,000 feet long and 6 to 8 feet in height. Surface land disturbance or subsidence is NOT anticipated to occur during the development mining phase of the project. Thus, water and property assessments are NOT required by the company at this time.
In August 2022, CCJ sent out letters to every property owner within the three potential permit areas to make homeowners aware of the opportunity to talk to the PA DEP at these IPCs. At these meetings, homeowners were shown where their properties lie within the permit area and were able to ask questions pertaining to the mining process.
If you would like the recording of any of the meetings, have any questions about the undermining process, or would like to know how to prepare for being undermined, please contact Nick Hood at nick@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org or 724-229-3550 extension 7.