Renovo Energy project still under DEP review

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Williamsport office of the Department of Environmental Protection is still in the “review process” relative to the proposed Renovo Energy Center project.

Last Dec. 7 was the deadline for the public to comment on a revised permit request for the REC project. On Monday of this week, a spokesperson at DEP’s north central office told therecord-online that review is continuing:

DEP is still in the review process for the proposed Renovo Energy Center. There is no announcement or official action being taken today or at any specific time in the immediate future. DEP has previously published a draft approval, and the next publication would typically be notice of a final action, which is subject to a 30-day appeal by interested parties.

As part of the process, the Department will prepare a comment response document in which responses will be provided to all comments received during the extended public comment period. DEP will also coordinate with U.S. EPA before a final decision is issued.

Project backers are hoping for a final DEP go-ahead this year, anticipating that construction can begin this calendar year for a project first disclosed in 2014. Mike Flanagan, President/CEO of the Clinton County Economic Partnership, said, “We thank DEP for its review of the amended air quality permit and hopefully the power plant proposal can move forward as soon as possible. We are still optimistic that this project will come to fruition, and we thank all the parties who have rowed together to get this important project to this point.”

Renovo Energy Center is proposing to construct a 1,240-megawatt electric generating station at the old railroad site on the north side of Renovo. The project has the backing of Renovo Borough Council and the Clinton County Economic Partnership. The Clean Air Council, a Philadelphia-based environmental organization, is urging that the project be stopped.