ACTION ALERT: County Council Poised to Vote on Long-Sought Air Quality Permit Fees Nov. 18

At long last, Allegheny County Council is poised to vote Nov. 18 on a long sought (and direly needed) air quality permit fee schedule that would fully fund the Allegheny County Health Department’s Air Quality Program.

The news comes in the wake of Council’s Health and Human Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, when members recommended ACHD’s proposal be placed on the Nov. 18 agenda for a full vote.

GASP will again be there to urge council to vote YES on ACHD’s original proposal, which - to be clear - was vetted by the Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee and the Allegheny County Board of Health before being subject to a public comment period where it received robust support.

We know so many of you were among those who showed their support for the funding measure during that public comment period and through attending council meetings, or writing or calling your rep to tell them how important a fully funded Air Quality Program is to our public health and well-being.

But we need to ask yinz one last time: Could you - would you? - join us Nov. 18 in pushing for a YES vote from council? As a reminder, 10 affirmative votes are needed for the measure to pass.

Not sure what to say and need a refresher? No worries - we got. Just need a couple quick talking points? Here are three reasons to vote YES that you can share with your representative on council:

1. A yes vote upholds federal law: ACHD has been delegated the authority to enforce both federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the control of air pollution in Allegheny County and the federal Clean Air Act requires that ACHD have adequate funding and personnel to carry out that authority. The Clean Air Act also requires that ACHD’s program for Title V facilities charge fees that are sufficient to cover the cost of administering the program.

   
   

2. A yes vote invests in our health: Supporting front-line communities burdened by industrial pollution - we know you’ve heard from many of your constituents in these neighborhoods as you’ve mulled the merits of this proposal.

   
   

3. A yes vote empowers ACHD staff: It’s imperative to provide the men and women who work in ACHD’s Air Quality Program with the tools they need to do their jobs. Not only is it required by the Clean Air Act, but it will also undoubtedly help with staff retention, talent acquisition, and morale.

   
   

We hope to see you all at 5 p.m. Nov. 18! Please remember that in order to address council, you must sign up to speak 24-hours in advance.  Here’s the link to sign up.