T elephonic
T echnical
E videntiary
H earing
November 28 @ 10:00 AM
T echnical
E videntiary
H earing
November 28 @ 10:00 AM
The Short Story:
The Long Story
The Almost Last Day of the TTEH was on Friday, November 17, and focused very much on safety and the environment. Air, water, sound, and light pollution were the major topics. As you may know, Marple Township and the intervenors have sponsored several witnesses and their accompanying testimony and exhibits, and different witnesses have focused on the details of different aspects of the proposed facility.
At one end of the spectrum, there has been considerable testimony that focused on the environmental problems related to the proposed location. Marple Township has continued to testify this this type of facility would need to be placed in an appropriately zoned industrial area. This would limit the safety and environmental impacts to the residential community .
At the other end of the spectrum, other witnesses testified about the environmental problems related to a natural gas expansion project , the actual need, and its impact on the local and global environment, including climate change.
In between these two positions, there was also considerable testimony related to the definition of a "constitutionally adequate environmental impact review", and the standards of procedure that the Public Utility Commission may need to develop, stemming from the March, 2923 decision of the Commonwealth Court. It was suggested that the Commission does not currently have a methodology to review the environmental impacts of a public utility infrastructure project in a "619 Procedure", and that perhaps guidance could be gleaned from the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
Another essential point made by various witnesses was that climate change is a scientific fact, not a political question, and the Environmental Amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution (Article One, Section 27) requires that the state, as stewards of the environment, uphold this clause of the constitution. The Pennsylvania Constitution states the people have the right to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of its resources. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of the people, including generations to come.
We have been very fortunate in that we will soon be partnering with a legal team that does not require monetary compensation from us at this time. However, we do need to continue to raise monies for transcripts and other ancillary expenses in order to prepare our legal briefs. These transcripts cost thousands of dollars. If you are able to assist in sponsoring our fundraising, please visit http://www.marplesafe.com/donate.html. Any size donation is greatly appreciated!
There is one more hearing day, on Tuesday November 28th, at 10:00AM. This day will focus primarily on testimony related to air issue impacts to the community from this fossil fuel expansion project.
Also, please spread the word. You are probably reading this page because you received an email from MarpleSafe. Please forward that email to others who might support our cause. This issue isn't on the TV news (very often), so it's important that word of mouth keeps people informed. In fact, you could even do it the easy way: copy and paste the following message (in italics) into a text message, and send it to your friends:
Whoo Hoo! Check out what's going on with that Exelon/PECO thing on the Corner of Sproul and CedarGrove Road!
http://www.marplesafe.com/
http://www.marplesafe.com/time-line.html
http://www.marplesafe.com/brief-review.html
http://www.marplesafe.com/donate.html
To participate in the conference,
Passcode: 83345259
For more background information, please see This Brief Review, and/or This TimeLine of Events
- Friday, November 17, 2023 was the most recent day of the TTEH; it was primarily about air quality and the need for the PUC to have a set standard of policy related to the Environmental Impact Review for Public Utility Infrastructure as part of a "619 Procedure".
- Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM will be the next, and final day of the TTEH; please attend to show your support. Toll-free Conference Number: 866.566.0649;Passcode: 83345259
- Expenses for copies of transcripts are looming; donations would be very much appreciated at this time. Please visit http://www.marplesafe.com/donate.html
The Long Story
The Almost Last Day of the TTEH was on Friday, November 17, and focused very much on safety and the environment. Air, water, sound, and light pollution were the major topics. As you may know, Marple Township and the intervenors have sponsored several witnesses and their accompanying testimony and exhibits, and different witnesses have focused on the details of different aspects of the proposed facility.
At one end of the spectrum, there has been considerable testimony that focused on the environmental problems related to the proposed location. Marple Township has continued to testify this this type of facility would need to be placed in an appropriately zoned industrial area. This would limit the safety and environmental impacts to the residential community .
At the other end of the spectrum, other witnesses testified about the environmental problems related to a natural gas expansion project , the actual need, and its impact on the local and global environment, including climate change.
In between these two positions, there was also considerable testimony related to the definition of a "constitutionally adequate environmental impact review", and the standards of procedure that the Public Utility Commission may need to develop, stemming from the March, 2923 decision of the Commonwealth Court. It was suggested that the Commission does not currently have a methodology to review the environmental impacts of a public utility infrastructure project in a "619 Procedure", and that perhaps guidance could be gleaned from the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
Another essential point made by various witnesses was that climate change is a scientific fact, not a political question, and the Environmental Amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution (Article One, Section 27) requires that the state, as stewards of the environment, uphold this clause of the constitution. The Pennsylvania Constitution states the people have the right to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of its resources. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of the people, including generations to come.
We have been very fortunate in that we will soon be partnering with a legal team that does not require monetary compensation from us at this time. However, we do need to continue to raise monies for transcripts and other ancillary expenses in order to prepare our legal briefs. These transcripts cost thousands of dollars. If you are able to assist in sponsoring our fundraising, please visit http://www.marplesafe.com/donate.html. Any size donation is greatly appreciated!
There is one more hearing day, on Tuesday November 28th, at 10:00AM. This day will focus primarily on testimony related to air issue impacts to the community from this fossil fuel expansion project.
Also, please spread the word. You are probably reading this page because you received an email from MarpleSafe. Please forward that email to others who might support our cause. This issue isn't on the TV news (very often), so it's important that word of mouth keeps people informed. In fact, you could even do it the easy way: copy and paste the following message (in italics) into a text message, and send it to your friends:
Whoo Hoo! Check out what's going on with that Exelon/PECO thing on the Corner of Sproul and CedarGrove Road!
http://www.marplesafe.com/
http://www.marplesafe.com/time-line.html
http://www.marplesafe.com/brief-review.html
http://www.marplesafe.com/donate.html
To participate in the conference,
- You must dial the toll-free Conference number below (866.566.0649)
- You must enter the PIN number below (83345259) when instructed
- You must speak your name when prompted, and press #
- Then, the telephone system will connect you to the hearing
Passcode: 83345259
For more background information, please see This Brief Review, and/or This TimeLine of Events
PLEASE DONATE!
Since June 15, over $900 has been collected. It's a good start, but the goal is to pay for expert witnesses to support the defense of the Cedar Grove Corner.
Since June 15, over $900 has been collected. It's a good start, but the goal is to pay for expert witnesses to support the defense of the Cedar Grove Corner.
THE CLIMATE CONNECTION
At a time when we should be transitioning AWAY FROM Fossil Fuels, the proposed Gas Expansion Plant at the Corner of Sproul and Cedar Grove Roads is an investment in transitioning DEEPER INTO Residential Natural Gas Consumption.
At a time when we should be transitioning AWAY FROM Fossil Fuels, the proposed Gas Expansion Plant at the Corner of Sproul and Cedar Grove Roads is an investment in transitioning DEEPER INTO Residential Natural Gas Consumption.
The Pre-Hearing Conference was held
on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, at 9AM
With more than 60 calls in attendance, there was a good show of support at the Pre-Hearing Conference, but the decisions made indicate that we have a difficult job in this court.
Schedule of Litigation
The Schedule of Litigation shows what the next steps are in the case. The current schedule suggests that June to September will be about discovery, with the Evidentiary Hearings occurring in Philadelphia (and Telephonically) on November 14 through 17.
The Schedule of Litigation shows what the next steps are in the case. The current schedule suggests that June to September will be about discovery, with the Evidentiary Hearings occurring in Philadelphia (and Telephonically) on November 14 through 17.
Precedent
On March 19, a seven member panel of PA Commonwealth Court judges unanimously decided that the PUC had erred in its decision, and remanded the case back to the PUC, with the following instructions:
"...that it issue an Amended Decision regarding Intervenor PECO Energy Company’s “Petition... . . . For a Finding Pursuant to 53 P.S. § 10619,”
which must incorporate the results of a constitutionally sound environmental impact review... "
On March 19, a seven member panel of PA Commonwealth Court judges unanimously decided that the PUC had erred in its decision, and remanded the case back to the PUC, with the following instructions:
"...that it issue an Amended Decision regarding Intervenor PECO Energy Company’s “Petition... . . . For a Finding Pursuant to 53 P.S. § 10619,”
which must incorporate the results of a constitutionally sound environmental impact review... "
