Concerns Rise Over NIPSCO Permit In Jasper County

Environmental and Public Health Concerns

Barb Deardorff, a resident of Kankakee Township, voiced worries regarding the possible environmental and public health impact if the NIPSCO permit is approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Quality. Deardorff lives two miles from the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station and closer to the Kankakee River. Her concerns focus on public health, waterway contamination, and endangered species.

NIPSCO Permit Details

As of September 4, IDEM released a notice concerning the NIPSCO permit application for the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station. The proposal involves mixing wastewater from the generating plant, a new gas plant, and an incoming Amazon data center in a settling basin before discharging into the Kankakee River. This wastewater could include coal ash water.

Water Usage and Pollution Concerns

On peak days, the facilities are expected to withdraw over 34 million gallons of water from the Kankakee River. Ben Inskeep, program director for the Citizens Action Coalition, highlighted the scale of this operation, characterizing it as a significant water use. Notably, Inskeep pointed out concerns regarding the mixing of waste streams from coal, gas, and data centers, managing pollutants like mercury, arsenic, and lead.

Permit Hearing Scheduled

IDEM plans to host a virtual permit hearing at 4 p.m. on October 7 via Microsoft Teams. Responses are expected by October 22. Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, criticized the permit application, expressing fears about the wastewater’s impact and the choice to hold the hearing virtually instead of in-person in Jasper County.

Local Residents’ Perspective

Deardorff mentioned concerns about the river’s contamination affecting recreational activities and the consumption of fish from the river, impacting residents and downstream communities. She highlighted past violations of discharge permits by NIPSCO and the complex nature of the lengthy permit application, which might discourage average citizens from understanding its implications.