Hatfield smoke just flyash
What residents near the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Station thought was a cloud of dark smoke coming from the station Friday morning was, in fact, a flyash release caused by a mechanical malfunction. Mike Grandillo, communications specialist for Allegheny Energy, said the malfunction caused flyash to empty out, leading to reports throughout the morning of black, billowing smoke from the station. He said Masontown officials, state police and the Department of Environmental Protection were notified, and a DEP representative would remain on site to investigate the incident.
Grandillo said trucks pull underneath each of the silos to pick up flyash and a series of valves and gates are involved to ensure that the trucks are filled, but nothing else escapes.
Something in the system failed Friday at approximately 7 a.m. and the flyash escaped, forming a cloud of dust that could be seen until about 1 p.m.
“There was definitely some sort of problem, and we are still trying to find out exactly what that was,” he said.
Grandillo said cars and homes in parts of Masontown may have a slight layer of dust on them, but the company said residents can have them washed or turn in other claims by calling 1-800-255-3443. He said flyash has been determined as non-toxic by the Pittsburgh Poison Control Center, so residents should not be concerned about inhaling particles.
“For the most part, the flyash was contained to the station itself and it dissipated as it got near the bridge,” he said.
He said the silo with the problem will be offline indefinitely until the cause of the release is determined and necessary repairs are made, but said it would be too soon to tell when that silo might return to operation.