Carbon County residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on a proposal that would allow a Nesquehoning company to burn some shredded tire material in with its other burning fuel.

During Nesquehoning Borough Council’s last meeting, it was announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing to hear from the public on how they feel about Panther Creek Power Operating LLC’s permit application to burn approximately 78,000 tons of shredded tires, mixed in with waste coal, annually. Panther Creek, owned by Stronghold, is located on Dennison Road.

The hearing will take place from 6-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School auditorium, 912 Coal Region Way.

Copies of Panther Creek’s application are available to anyone wishing to review it at DEP’s Wilkes-Barre office by scheduling an appointment, calling 570-826-2511.

During the meeting, several members of the group Save Carbon County addressed council, as well as a representative of Panther Creek.

Council President David Hawk recused his position during the discussion due to his employment at Panther Creek.

Linda Christman of Towamensing Township said that this permit, if approved, could have a big impact on the surrounding area.

She urged council to write a letter to DEP supporting the borough residents against this proposal, citing reasons that include tire burning creates toxins, creates a potential opportunity for a catastrophic fire if the tires catch fire where they are stored and can do more harm than good for the residents.

Carol Etheridge, another member of Save Carbon County and a resident of Mahoning Township, said that she is concerned because her home is essentially five miles away from the plant and toxins emitted from the burning could blow to all areas of the county and beyond.

Resident James Whitehead used the Canadian wildfires this summer as an example at how far things could travel in the air.

Etheridge asked that further emissions tests be conducted.

Borough resident Steve Welsh used his experience as a carpet layer and cancer survivor to speak about the detrimental effects of toxins, particularly benzene, which he said would be emitted from tire burning.

Councilwoman Abbie Guardiani said that she has spoken with Panther Creek representatives and has done her homework, providing documents from Panther Creek.

“You have to hear both sides,” she said. “You’re required to as a council to hear both sides. That’s what’s fair. I personally have done my homework and I want to hear at this meeting what DEP says.”

She added that until that happens, she will not, as a councilwoman, draw a conclusion on what position the borough takes regarding the matter.

Mary Welsh, Steve Welsh’s wife, said that she is having a hard time understanding why science isn’t being taken into consideration since it shows that burning tires creates benzene.

“It’s airborne,” she said. “It affects us all. It causes cancer. So how could there be two sides if we already know the science is in. ... Nobody wants cancer. Nobody wants our grandchildren to get cancer. I don’t see two sides. I see one side. I see the science.”

Fred Osman, the man who completed the application for Panther Creek, then spoke. Osman is board certified in environmental and air pollution control by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and previously completed applications for tire derived fuel at both Hercules Cement and Northampton Generator Plant, both of which were approved and are currently burning shredded tire material in with its other fuel.

“I know you guys here obviously have concerns,” he said to the audience, citing issues he heard about it creating a mess, causing a smell, and smoke emissions.

Osman said that the residents can talk to the people around the two other plants burning tires to see if they have noticed issues.

“It’s totally not what you think about burning tires like people burning tires in their backyard,” Osman said, adding that the testing period in which Panther Creek burned shredded tires in with culm has ended for now.

Osman noted that in addition to the two plants in Pennsylvania, a total of 123 plants use shredded tires as burning fuel across the country.

“If this was an issue that causes harm to people, I think you would have heard about it by now,” he said, saying that there has been no notice of any problems in the approximately 15 years it has happened in Pennsylvania.

Residents asked what procedures are in place to cut down on the emissions that could be harmful.

Osman said that Panther Creek has the top of the line elements on its stack to cut down on emissions.

The company also refuted in written statements several of the residents’ claims, saying that their procedure helps to reclaim mine lands and reduce acid mine drainage.

With regards to the tire burning proposal, Panther Creek said that the Environmental Protection Agency has recognized tire derived fuel as a “valuable fuel with emissions not significantly different to other fossil fuels.”

Following the discussion, council suggested residents attend the upcoming public hearing to further address this.

If you wish to testify during the hearing, a notice should be sent to Mark Wejkszner P.E., Northeast region Air Quality Program Manager, Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Program, Wilkes-Barre Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915.

The notice should include your name, address, telephone number and a brief description on what your testimony will be. You will then be asked to present a copy of your written testimony and will have 3 minutes to speak during the hearing.

For those unable to attend the hearing, a written testimony may be submitted to DEP until Dec. 28.

No ruling on the permit application will be made until after the hearing and all comments are addressed.