DEP Issues Denial To Elcon's Proposed Waste Treatment Plant

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — State officials have issued a rejection to Elcon Recyling's proposed hazardous waste treatment plant, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday.

Officials pointed to unspecified "outstanding deficiencies" in the application following their 10-month review of the project.

The proposed facility, which would be located at Keystone Industrial Port Complex, has been under discussion for roughly four years.

"After a rigorous review of the application, supplemental materials submitted by the company, and input from the public, DEP will not approve this application in its current form,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said in a statement. "Unless the company can address these outstanding deficiencies, DEP will have no choice but to move forward with a full application denial."

This comes after rejections were issued on the local level by Falls Township supervisors in March. Township commissioners voted 4-0 against Elcon's preliminary land-use proposal.

Local activist groups have been vocal in their protest of the plans, pointing to potential air and water pollution.

The 23-acre parcel of land, previously owned by U.S. Stell, would treat up to 193,000 tons of waste per year.