Charlotte Santry addresses the Newport Township Commissioners on Monday night.
                                 Ryan Evans | Times Leader

Charlotte Santry addresses the Newport Township Commissioners on Monday night.

Ryan Evans | Times Leader

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<p>The Newport Township Commissioners had their own statement prepared, seemingly aimed to quell the community as it would be, ‘premature, at this time, to weigh in on an environmental permit process that has yet to begin.’</p>
                                 <p>Ryan Evans | Times Leader</p>

The Newport Township Commissioners had their own statement prepared, seemingly aimed to quell the community as it would be, ‘premature, at this time, to weigh in on an environmental permit process that has yet to begin.’

Ryan Evans | Times Leader

<p>Charlotte Santry, in her statement to the Newport Township commissioners, said, ‘Now, just when there is a semblance of hope that our once beautiful valley can again be restored to its verdant glory, in comes another fossil fuel industry.’</p>
                                 <p>Ryan Evans | Times Leader</p>

Charlotte Santry, in her statement to the Newport Township commissioners, said, ‘Now, just when there is a semblance of hope that our once beautiful valley can again be restored to its verdant glory, in comes another fossil fuel industry.’

Ryan Evans | Times Leader

NEWPORT TWP. — The agenda for Monday night’s Newport Township Commissioners meeting included oaths of office, nominations for various roles, establishing commissioners for numerous departments and a statement made against the $6 billion dollar refinery project now known as the “Marcellus Plant.”

The plant, or manufacturing facility plan, is being spearheaded by Nacero, a fuel company located in Houston, Texas. The company chose Newport Township as the cite of its new refinery back in October, much to the chagrin of numerous activists’ organizations and residents alike.

While Nacero promises to reclaim scarred minelands, bring more than 3,500 temporary jobs and some 400 permanent positions to the area, some residents are apprehensive amidst the vows of the company who touts working to “fuel a lower carbon future.”

Charlotte Santry says her family has been in the area since 1917 and worked, as so many in the area did, in the coal mines. They had a firsthand view of the rise and demise of the anthracite industry. In her statement to the board, Santry referenced this century-old connection to say that it feels as though the clean up process will never end after the coal companies “finally all declared bankruptcy, packed up their millions and left.”

Santry continued, saying, “Now, just when there is a semblance of hope that our once beautiful valley can again be restored to its verdant glory, in comes another fossil fuel industry.”

While she spoke alone at the meeting, and was the only one to do so, Santry has supporters. A joint statement released by the Board of Directors of Action Together NEPA, The Unitarian Universalist Church of Wyoming Valley, PA Interfaith Power and Light and The United NEPA Alliance addresses similar concerns.

“According to air permit documents obtained by the Clean Air Council for Nacero’s similarly proposed Texas facility, the Luzerne County refinery would be the third worst climate pollution emitter in the state and would rank among the top emitters of other harmful pollutants,” the statement reads.

It goes on to also highlight inconsistencies in the quoted number of jobs, the proposed location and its proximity to a school, and the aforementioned damage caused by the coal industry.

“The scars are still here,” the statement reads, “and we are still paying for them.”

In response to Santry’s statement, the commissioners had a statement of their own at the ready, which seemingly aimed to quell the community as it would be “premature, at this time, to weigh in on an environmental permit process that has yet to begin.”

The statement calls Nacero “a transformative manufacturing company to our community,” estimating that the Marcellus Plant will bring some 3,500 construction jobs and 450 “full-time operational workers” upon its completion. This point is highlighted by mentioning that the township has been struggling economically since the loss of SCI Retreat, the areas largest employer, which closed in June of 2020.

The Newport Township Commissioners promise to keep the residents informed on the project through “township meetings and other public forums,” and doubles down, saying they will work with Nacero and state and local authorities to keep the public in the loop with all available information.

Nacero, according to its website, claims that its process does not include refining crude oil, leading to pollution. Instead, they create Nacero Blue and Green gases via more environmental means. Blue is “made from natural gas using renewable power and carbon capture.” And Nacero Green is “made from renewable natural gas and captured flare gas.”

The Marcellus Plant also promises to be “low to zero-carbon” and construction is projected to begin between this new year and next.

For Santry, however, the destruction wrought by, “King Coal” still serves as a sharp reminder to how the area has been exploited in the past. Beyond the environmental concerns, she also said, “When they bring the construction workers in from out of town, which they will do, along with that will come the gambling, drinking, drugs, prostitution … and the list goes on. “

While it seems that the plant will indeed happen, Santry says, ” … as long as I can breath, I’ll fight the good fight.”