I hope the residents of Nesquehoning and surrounding communities are participating in this Times News event by sharing what they have seen and heard regarding the Panther Creek Power Plant and the burning of tires. For the past 9 months or so, we have lived with the smell of burning tires - which happen for the most part after midnight; air polluted by burning tire emissions, droplets of moisture falling into our waterways and soil, coal ash covering our roadways and for certain our grounds. Yes, the roadways have been cleaned periodically but the remaining ash has been pushed onto the grounds each side of the roadway. This is not just an issue for just Nesquehoning. The wind carries the pollution to surrounding communities.

Since this has been a practice for the past 9 months, why are we just now hearing about it. There have been several violations. Again, were the violations published? When was this “project” approved and by whom? What is the financial benefit of this program since it is not about health of humans or improvement of the community. EPA has just approved a strong policy about deadly soot pollution, but I guess the cancer causing emissions by burning tires is not immediately deadly enough. Time to do or say something about it.

I hope our community members continue to join hands to save our members who have issues with breathing, or other immunity issues and certainly our future generation. Call the complaint line 570-826-2511. Tell your friends and neighbors about what is happening. This is not a political issue. This is not an issue of landowner or renter. This is a health issue. There is strength in numbers. Let’s speak in one voice to get this plant closed or to get them to implement changes to prevent further health issues.

Rita Marie Trucios

Nesquehoning