Pennsylvania's environmental agency says the Erie Coke Plant violated air quality guidelines earlier this month.

The Department of Environmental Protection inspected the plant Oct. 9.

At that time, the agency said air contaminants escaping from a coke side shed exceed set limits during coke pushing.

Erie Coke's operating permit has been expired since March 2019.

A hearing in July determined the company can still operate while it tries to renew its permit.

A hearing on the permit is scheduled for February 2020.