Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a 15-month temporary extension of Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s (KSL) existing operating permit for its landfill facility in the boroughs of Dunmore and Throop in Lackawanna County.
This is not a renewal of the operating permit. This action will only extend KSL’s existing operating permit until December 31, 2026. DEP has not approved other operation or construction changes.
“This extension will allow review and oversight of the odor control corrective measures recently completed at the landfill, so we can ensure that the community is not adversely affected by odors from the facility,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP is focused on removing stray odors, ensuring the environment around the landfill is protected, and protecting quality of life for the community. DEP is extending the current permit so we have the time to consider the permit renewal application and can ensure that DEP is providing the best possible oversight of this facility.”
DEP granted this extension to allow the agency sufficient time to evaluate KSL’s September 17, 2025, response to the Renewal Review Letter issued on July 18, 2025, as well as any additional deficiencies DEP may identify during its review. The Department also needs sufficient time to reevaluate the harms-benefits analysis considering these corrective measures.
A primary remedy to control odors from KSL’s leachate lagoons (collected rainwater that has filtered through the landfill) are the two 2.5-million-gallon enclosed leachate storage tanks that began operating in September, along with an odor control system for the leachate treatment plant.
KSL has also implemented numerous leachate generation minimization measures at the facility, and while KSL has been in compliance with DEP’s leachate storage regulations since these measures were implemented, this additional time will enable the department to confirm that this concern is addressed. DEP will consider these mitigation measures in the review of the permit renewal application.
DEP staff will continue to address any odor complaints related to the landfill. To file a complaint with DEP over the phone, call the Northeast Regional Office’s main line at 570-826-2511. To file a complaint online with DEP, visit https://greenport.pa.gov/obPublic/EnvironmentalComplaintForm/
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