Montana DEQ Seeks Public Comment on Colstrip Steam Electric Station Reports

HELENA – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is seeking public comment on three reports regarding the industrial wastewater facilities at the Colstrip Steam Electric Station.

The reports are required under the Administrative Order on Consent between DEQ and Talen Montana, LLC at Colstrip, which provides a mandatory procedure for investigation and remediation related to the wastewater facilities. 
 
The reports DEQ is seeking comment on are:
 

• Colstrip Wastewater Facility Closure Plan, Plant Site
• Colstrip Wastewater Facility Closure Plan, Units 1&2 Stage I & II Evaporation Pond Site
• Colstrip Wastewater Facility Closure Plan, Units 3&4 Effluent Holding Pond Site

 
The closure plans provide for control, minimization or elimination, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, of post-closure escape of constituents of interest to the environment. The closure plans also include an estimate of closure and post-closure costs for which Talen will provide financial assurance in accordance with the AOC.
 
Copies of the reports are available at DEQ’s office at 1520 E. 6^th Ave. in Helena, Talen Montana’s office at 303 N. Broadway, Suite 400 in Billings, and the Bicentennial Library, 419 Willow Ave. in Colstrip. The reports are also available electronically at: http://deq.mt.gov/DEQAdmin/mfs/ColstripSteamElectricStation
 
 
The 60-day public comment period started August 14 and ends October 13, 2017. DEQ will conduct a public meeting on the reports if a written request is received within 10 days of posting this notice by 10 or more people or by a group having 10 or more members.
 
Written comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on October 13 and can be sent to Sara Edinberg, Waste Management and Remediation Division, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901, or electronically toDEQColstrip@mt.gov.