Citizens Coal Council v. Matt Canestrale Contracting, Inc.

Public Justice and Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), representing Citizens Coal Council, filed a citizens’ suit against Matt Canestrale Contracting, Inc. (MCC) for violations of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, Air Pollution Control Act, and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and the Clean Air Act at MCC’s LaBelle Mine Dump in Luzerne Township, Pennsylvania.

Among the issues the groups alleged in their Notice of Intent to Sue: MCC’s operations at the dump and uncovered trucks hauling coal ash creates particulate matter pollution that blows onto nearby residents’ properties — the coal ash dust contains toxins like antimony, arsenic, chromium, lead and fine particles that can get into the lungs and heart and cause serious adverse health impacts; the LaBelle dump is leaking aluminum, manganese, sulfates, and total dissolved solids above Pennsylvania drinking water standards, and is polluting local streams with levels of sulfate and total dissolved solids at levels that can damage fish and other aquatic life.