GASP in Action
Diesel Campaign
GASP helped launch the Allegheny County Partnership to Reduce Diesel Pollution, a comprehensive campaign aimed at reducing toxic diesel emissions from all major sources. Trucks, school buses, transit buses, waste haulers, construction equipment, locomotives, and marine vessels all contribute to our region’s diesel pollution problem. It’s imperative that all these sources be included in clean up solutions. Learn more.
Legal Work
- PA Environmental Hearing Board’s ruling and legal filings regarding GASP’s appeal of a proposed Cambria County coke facility
- PA Environmental Hearing Board’s ruling and legal filings regarding GASP’s appeal of a proposed waste-coal power plant in Greene County
Hays Hilltop
In the City of Pittsburgh, there is a 635-acre forested site on the hilltop above Hays, bordered by Becks Run Rd., Glass Run Rd., and East Carson Street. On this site, a Beaver County developer, Charles J. Betters, has proposed to mine coal and build a racetrack and casino. Learn more.
GASP and Reliant Energy
GASP and Orion Power Midwest, L.P., a subsidiary of Reliant Energy (Reliant), signed an agreement aimed at reducing high opacity (smoke) readings recorded at its Cheswick Power Station stack. Learn more. (February 19, 2004)
- Feb. 21: Reliant takes aim on smokestack emissions (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
- Feb. 26: The politics of smoke (PULP)
GASPer Air Monitor Program
GASP runs this educational program in local Allegheny County schools with the GASPer, an air quality monitor. Read more about this program in which middle and high school students conduct experiments in their schools, homes and neighborhoods.
Odor Problems
Breathing is not a choice, but many Allegheny County residents often wish that it was. Over the course of many years, GASP has consistently received odor complaints from the community. These odor emissions are very unpleasant and occur often. These odors may also represent chemicals that are dangerous to health and well-being. In early 2002, GASP submitted a proposal to the Allegheny County Air Quality Advisory Committee to the Health Department to upgrade the Air Quality Division’s ability to respond to odors in the county. GASP has also sponsored several billboard messages in the vicinity of Neville Island giving passers-by the Allegheny County “Foul Odor Hotline” phone number. Learn more.
Smokereaders Program
Volunteers from GASP are trained and certified to recognize visible emissions from smokestacks.* If an exceedance of the county’s clean air standards is observed, it is reported as information to the company and to the Allegheny County Air Quality Division to help improve air quality.
Hotline articles:
- Air Pollution Committee OKs Smokereaders Proposal (Summer 2000)
- Citizen Smokereaders (Summer 2002)
Title V (of the Clean Air Act)
GASP is helping citizens learn how to review and comment on air quality permits (Title V permits) from industrial sources of pollution. Citizens can help find mistakes and encourage revisions to permits. GASP can supply citizens with a guidebook, the Title V application permit and other literature to learn how to comment on this important air quality permit. We have also held citizen workshops. Professional consultants are assisting GASP and can help answer questions. Call GASP at (412) 325-7382 to get involved. Learn more.
Mon/Fayette Toll Road
GASP opposes the Mon/Fayette Toll Road into Pittsburgh. The Mon/Fayette Toll Road is a multi-billion dollar series of road projects that is proposed to enter the Greater Pittsburgh area. Read the GASP offical position statement and dozens of articles compiled about this project.
Energy Issues
GASP gives presentations in Pittsburgh communities on the issue of electricity deregulation. Has deregulation been successful? What choices do you have? Can you save money?* How important is it to consider using a generation source of renewable energy? Learn more.
Air Pollution from Coal Combustion
(GASP’s Comments, Coalfield Justice Day, June 23, 2003)
Alternative Landscaping
The typical American lawn is not a sustainable landscape. It takes intensive use of resources, including fertilizer, water, pesticides, equipment with associated air pollution emissions and your energy, to maintain a green, weed-free and mowed swath of lawn. GASP gives a slide show presentation to groups in order to stimulate new and healthier choices for the home and business landscape. Call GASP at (412) 325-7382 for more information.
Hotline articles:
- Your Home Landscape - Armed Warfare, Part I (Summer 2001)
- Alternatives to the American “Lawn” Part II: Pesticides (Winter 2002)
- Alternatives to the American “Lawn” Part III: Let Your Landscape Work for You (Not Vice Versa) (Spring 2002)
- Alternatives to the American “Lawn” Part IV: Just Do It! (Fall 2002)
Ozone
On October 19, 2001, the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley ozone nonattainment area was redesignated to attainment of the 1-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Subsequent to this re-classification, Group Against Smog and Pollution(GASP) and the Sierra Club filed suit against EPA’s action. Learn more.
Shenango Coke Plant News
Hazelwood Coke Plant
The LTV Coke Plant in Hazelwood was shut down in February 1998. GASP is currently pursuing a legal action as Intervener with the Environmental Protection Agency against LTV for past air quality violations. A Sun Company coke plant was proposed for the same urban location, but was not built after opposing pressure from GASP, Citizens Helping Our Community (CHOC), and the residents of Hazelwood and neighboring communities. Read more about this chain of events surrounding Hazelwood.