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Washington County and neighboring Allegheny County consistently fail to meet federal health-based standards for air pollution. Robinson Power Company LLC wants to build the Beech Hollow power plant in Robinson Township in Washington County. The power plant would be a major source of air pollution for five different air pollutants.  These include air pollutants known to be harmful to human health as well as greenhouse gases that worsen climate change. 

The community will not benefit from the electricity being generated. The electricity would go directly into the PJM grid, which transports it in the electricity wholesale market for 13 states and Washington D.C., yet the community will get the pollution.

In 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) granted Robinson Power an air quality permit for its proposed plant. In 2019, Robinson Power submitted an application for a  modification that would significantly increase emissions of many pollutants that can affect public health and exacerbate climate change. Compared to the original 2017 proposal, the 2020 proposal involves the construction of higher capacity combustion units. Robinson Power is also asking DEP to permit it a higher number of hours for startup and shutdown, which will likely increase emissions.