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| Home | Summary of August 29th Zoning Hearing Board Meeting | |
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Attorney Logan began by asking Mr. John Silvi whether he knew how PennDOT determined workdays per year. Silvi said he didn’t use PennDOT figures in his calculations. As well, Silvi stated that he was not familiar with the PennDOT regulations on workdays. Logan asked him where he came up with his figures for workdays and he said that it was from his own numbers for his other sites. Logan also asked Silvi if he had used industry information on asphalt and quarry manufacturing business in his calculations. Silvi stated that he did not use anyone else. Logan asked if Silvi had made and provision for fuel. Silvi said that while he did not, he would probably have a 10,000-gallon fuel tank on the site. Logan also asked if Silvi had not calculated other types of trucks and Silvi said that he did not calculate UPS trucks, parts and tire trucks, mailmen, delivery vehicles, explosive vehicles, or lunch wagons. Silvi continued to say that his numbers were estimates and that 500,000 tons/year was just an estimate that it could go higher as the site went operational. Andrew Levine, representing the Archdiocese of Philadelphia then cross-examined Silvi. He asked Silvi if he would agree to a restriction that limits mining to 500,000 tons/year. Silvi said “I don’t believe we can do that” (agree to a limitation). At this point, Mr. Uday M. Patankar, the permit expert for the applicant took the stand. Patankar had last given testimony on June 27, 2001. He began from where he left off in June. Stephen Harris, the applicant’s attorney asked Patankar about the permits for three plants:
Patankar said each operation has its own set of permits---both federal and state. He said this is a two-step process:
Patankar talked about the air pollution criteria, which included exhaust emissions. He talked about “best available technology” as being the standard to use. He also talked about the fact that the impact of the three plants must be calculated. He then talked about all of the permits and standards of air pollution. Exhibits A17-A22 were presented---each dealing with policies of PA DEP, federal standards, wind rules, and pattern reports, as well as DEP policy regulations. At one point Patankar mentioned the fact the Radon would not be a factor, since Radon is only problematic if enclosed in a basement---releasing large quantities into the air doesn’t seem to be an issue to Patankar and the Silvis. Patankar also stated that rock-crushing, asphalt, and concrete plants produce no toxic emissions. He used the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as his source. His actual statement, in reference to toxic emission and OSHA was, “no studies have conclusively found to be a level of concern” [Tell that to the children going to school and playing in playgrounds within a half mile of the proposed site. See also this fact sheet on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas. You can be exposed to PAHs by breathing air in the vicinity of coal tar and asphalt production plants. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that some PAHs may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens.]The meeting ended with Harris's cutting comments regarding the dryness of Patankar's testimony and personal style. |
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