North East PA Online

For North East Township and North East Borough

Does the PA DEP Really Want the Public to See Their Public Notices?

by 1 Comment

Lake Erie Connector
Lake Erie Connector

When is a public notice not really a public notice?

If a government agency publishes a notice in an obscure government document asking for public comments, they can say they did what was required knowing full well that very few people will ever read it. If you find it too late to add your thoughts, they’ll blame you for missing it. Neat trick.

Did you see it?

On January 17th, 2026, the PA Department of Environmental Protection published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin: Federal Consistency under the Coastal Zone Management Act; Lake Erie Connector Transmission, LLC, Lake Erie Connector Project or in the full text location here: PA Bulletin full text version on page 433. What? You didn’t see it? I’m shocked.

I follow Erie County public notices very closely and there was nothing in any local publications, and since this directly affects the residents of Erie County as well as the rest of PA, you would think they would put it somewhere that Erie County residents would notice. But, no.

What is the Lake Erie Connector?

I have written extensively on the Lake Erie Connector in another location: here, here, here and here. Summary below.

Some details of the project have changed since those earlier articles were written, ownership is now in the hands of NextEra Energy and the landfall has been changed slightly in relation to Erie Bluffs State Park.

Just so you understand what we’re talking about

To summarize: the EPA under Obama was forcing power plants off line so fast without making any provisions for replacement power that our grid is now weak and short of the necessary electric power to meet rapidly rising and emergency demand, so they want to run an extension cord to Canada to get the electricity we need.

The government created this problem. Maybe we should stop shutting down perfectly good power plants, concentrate on building more power plants here with American construction workers and then employing Americans to run them. Just a thought.

President Trump is trying to do that, but the people behind this project are stuck in the Obama era and think digging and drilling in the lake to lay a power cable is a great idea.

This project had been suspended, but just like those monsters in the movies, it keeps getting back up and the DEP doesn’t want us to notice. Now, where’s my wooden stake?

Filed Under: Electric power, Lake Erie Tagged With: , ,

Subscribe to get the latest news and updates sent directly to your inbox!
  1. Everyone has the right to know what their government is doing.
  2. Transparency is expected in all government meetings and daily operations.
  3. Everyone working in the government works for, and is answerable to, you and me.
  4. All laws, regulations, ordinances, budgets, audits and other public records should be freely available, preferably online, for citizens to examine without special fees and paperwork before they can do so.
  5. When municipalities seek bids for contract work, all bid documents should be available online, free of charge. Printed copies, if requested, should be offered at cost.
  6. Agendas should be posted online a minimum of 3 days before public meetings take place allowing interested citizens an opportunity to hear discussions and offer input on matters important to them.


Comments

  1. Paul,
    I read about this, because I follow the bulletin as well. Interestingly, the Lake Erie quadrangle monster is still lurking as well, ready to revive Kathy Dahlkempers initiative to make Lake Erie a marine sanctuary and federally controlled. As if we don’t have enough regulators as is. These two initiatives seem conflicting. We had a perfectly running , independent power facility right here in North East, but the (market) power purchasers wouldn’t utilize it. Now years later and suddenly it’s push for electricity, but WE have to rely on …..Canada?

    Reply

Comment Policy: We invite your thoughts and ideas so we may have an interesting and civil conversation. Using your real name is preferred, but not necessary, your email is required, but will not be displayed. North East PA Online does not endorse nor imply agreement with any particular comment just because we let it stand, but, you already knew that. Just be nice because profanity, personal attacks and other unhelpful remarks will be removed. Thank you. Comments are moderated before they appear which may result in some delay.

Let us know what you think

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *