Testimony continues in the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board's proceedings about Erie Coke.  The company is asking a judge to allow the plant to remain open while it appeals the state's decision to deny the renewal of its operating permit.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) denied the renewal of Erie Coke's operating permit on July 1 because of numerous air pollution violations.  It was learned today that Erie Coke presented a settlement offer to the DEP a few days later on July 5.

News of that settlement offer was presented into evidence at the Environmental Hearing Board proceedings today.  Erie Coke offered to implement a series of measures to bring the plant into environmental compliance at a cost of $3.1 million.
   

Erie Coke believes it can fund the repair measures with its operating cash flow, and the company is willing to put $1 million in escrow to draw upon as needed expenditures arise. The DEP believes the proposal would still not put Erie Coke into environmental compliance to receive an operating permit.
    

The DEP, on Monday, will release to Erie Coke its list of measures and financial costs it believes would put the company in compliance. That list will not be released to the public.
   

Meanwhile, the hearing continued today with an Erie Coke engineer explaining the correction projects that have been completed, scheduled, are ongoing, and are underway at the plant. 
   

The DEP today called people to the stand who live and work near Erie Coke.  They described their concerns about the sights and smells that come from the plant.

Testimony at the hearing will resume on Monday.   Erie Coke's environmental director will be taking the stand.