As Scranton faces ongoing challenges with stormwater management, a proposed upgrade project by PPL Electric Utilities raises concerns about potential impacts on the city’s infrastructure efforts. Mayor Paige Cognetti has expressed significant reservations about the project, which aims to overhaul a portion of the area’s electrical transmission lines.
In a communication to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Mayor Cognetti highlighted the city’s vested interest in ensuring that the project does not exacerbate stormwater issues, particularly around Keyser Creek in the West Mountain area. “The city has a real and immediate stake in this permit, and the public interest here is significant,” she stated.
The Stanton-Summit Line Rebuild Project involves the upgrade of approximately 7.75 miles of 69 kV transmission line between Stanton and Summit substations, along with the installation of 0.75 miles of fiber on existing lines. The plan is set to impact 72.5 acres across multiple areas including Scranton, Taylor, and Ransom Township in Lackawanna County, as well as Duryea and Exeter Township in Luzerne County, as per an entry in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
PPL Electric Utilities advocates that the project is a necessary “reliability investment” to replace outdated infrastructure installed in 1926. A spokesperson for PPL noted, “Investing in the line now helps avoid more costly repairs and increased outage risks that can occur as infrastructure continues to age.”
Public Hearing Sought
Mayor Cognetti has formally requested that the DEP hold a public hearing concerning the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which regulates water pollution discharge points. The permit application is a result of anticipated stormwater discharges from the proposed project.
Pennsylvania regulations allow for public petitions for hearings on draft NPDES permits, which could provide a platform for community input and discussion.
Ongoing Stormwater Challenges
Scranton has been grappling with stormwater management issues, including frequent flooding of streets and basements, overwhelmed drainage systems, and runoff causing property damage. The situation remains critical as the city approaches the third anniversary of a severe flash flood that devastated the region.
Mayor Cognetti emphasized the financial investments already made to mitigate these issues, stating that a project affecting 72.5 acres could jeopardize these efforts. Plans for significant future spending are also in place, with $5.7 million allocated for stormwater management in the Keyser Valley area by 2027.
Permit Application Concerns
Cognetti’s letter to the DEP outlined several deficiencies in PPL Electric’s permit application:
- The absence of a required soil map.
- A proposed concrete washout located outside the project boundary.
- Inadequate post-construction stormwater plans that fail to protect stream channels and wetlands.
- Missing clearances from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
- Lack of consideration for the project’s overlap with protected habitats or species.
PPL Electric Utilities maintains that public comments are integral to the permitting process and pledges to collaborate with the DEP by providing any necessary additional information.
