Pennsylvania DEP grants approval for natural gas fired power plant
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has approved several permits for a proposed natural gas-fired power plant in Berks County, according to StateImpact Pennsylvania.
In a news release, the DEP said it OKed permits for construction of the main plant and construction of power lines and water and natural gas pipelines running to the plant.
The Birdsboro Power plant is expected the be able to produce 485 megawatts of electricity and be operational by May 2019. The construction is expected to create 300 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs.
Learn more: StateImpact Pennsylvania > Proposed natural gas power plant in Birdsboro gets set of permits from DEP
Leave a Comment
Marcellus & Utica Shale Well Map
Additional Shale Maps
Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.