State Rep. Mandy Steele seeks answers to lingering questions from implosion of smokestacks in Springdale

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The fallout from the former Cheswick Generating Station's smokestack implosion last week has caught the attention of at least one state lawmaker.

In a statement issued Tuesday, state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, acknowledged the two Springdale smokestacks — about 750 and 550 feet tall — fell June 2 where they were intended to drop, but said many residents were "surprised and dismayed at the copious volume of dust and other unidentified materials that blanketed the nearby streets and homes."

Steele said she will remain in contact with local and county officials, as well as state agencies, until the site has been cleared. Under the state Waste Management Act, she said, the Department of Environmental Protection has the authority to compel abatement of any violations that may occur at the site.

Steele said the solid waste deposited onto people's properties is a violation.

The smokestacks fell in a cleared coal yardon the north side of the property. Officials said an air pressure blast from the taller smokestack knocked down trees and power lines along Pittsburgh Street.

Some in the Springdale, Cheswick and Harmar areas lost power.

"I continue to hear from residents days later about how difficult it is proving to remove this thick layer of dust," Steele said. "And troubling questions persist about the fluffy white material that was strewn all over. Residents deserve to know what that is and whether it could pose any health hazards."

Sam Miller, a representative of Kentucky-based Charah Solutions, said the company tested materials after the implosions, which returned negative for asbestos.

Residents who believe they were impacted by the implosion can visit charah.com and submit a contact form to reach Charah.

According to the company's website, claims for repairs from the Cheswick blast must be submitted by 5 p.m. today, Friday, June 9.

Neil Ruhland, spokesman for the Allegheny County Health Department, said asbestos abatement was completed before the demolition. He said the department only handles asbestos cases related to demolition.

Because of numerous inquiries, Ruhland said the department posted its asbestos reports on the county's website. Final inspections from seven reports dated Sept. 21 to March 3 granted clearance based on visual inspections and data submitted by an air monitoring contractor.

The county doesn't regulate or inspect for lead paint or other hazards associated with demolition, but county officials said the dust kicked up by the demolition affected air quality in the short term. As winds moved the air mass after the implosion, the dust cloud dissipated.

"It is important to me that we get answers to ensure the safety of residents. DEP is onsite today testing at several locations," Steele said. "Under the Waste Management Act, DEP is required to provide copies of lab results at each site where sampling has been conducted."

According to the Springdale Police Department, DEP officials also were surveying and documenting the area Wednesday and Thursday.

Miller said the cleanup process is "going well."

He didn't have an exact number of how many people have submitted claims online or how many properties have been addressed or cleaned. Claims continue to be filed, he said.

Once Charah receives a submission, crews attempt to make contact with the property owner immediately, he said.

"Overall, it's been very positive with the community," Miller said. "We’re working through and addressing issues."

Miller said crews are able to handle cleanup efforts, such as power-washing, and Charah is able to contract local business owners to fix other issues, such as appliances damaged through a power surge.

Charah is working with each property owner to try to best remedy the situation. Miller said there was no budgeted amount of how much the company has spent, or will spend, on damages.

"We are just dealing with it on a case-by-case basis," Miller said.

In terms of cleanup on the property, crews will recycle the steel and rebar while concrete will remain on-site for now, he said.

Charah plans to implode the building at the plant, but a date has yet to be set for that demolition, Miller said.

Crews from Charah and Grant Mackay were in the area this week. A post-blast assessment around the area began immediately after the implosion.

Following the demolition, a dust cloud moved north of the property. Despite the assurances from of asbestos abatement, some Springdale residents remain concerned about the dust and material, believing it to be fiberglass.

Representatives from the DEP could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Steele said she shared concerns regarding air quality and dust contamination. She requested state and county authorities who inspected the area last Friday to let residents know what, if any, further precautions they should take in the coming weeks.

"It's certainly not ideal to be dealing with this issue after the fact," Steele said, "but it's the very least we can do for people in Springdale who have been living with this reality."

A notice delivered to adjoining property owners before the demolition stated dust is an "unpreventable byproduct" of demolition. The memo recommended that property owners close all windows, doors and air intakes, and cover openings that could allow dust to enter homes.

Steele thanked first responders for their efforts during the situation.

"This event literally changed the distinctive landscape of our Valley, and it marks the transition from industry that was not conducive to the health of community members to other future uses that will benefit people, the environment and our entire region," Steele said. "The site has the potential to be an incredible springboard for revitalization in the area.

"But first we must deal with the cloud of dust and the lingering questions it brought."

Kellen Stepler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Kellen by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

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