At GASP we aim to be a resource for not only residents but for municipal officials, too, so they can better understand and take action on important air quality issues specific to their communities.
And now, thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), we’ve crafted an educational primer that addresses everything from air quality sources and regulations to local grant funding opportunities and community resources.
We’re also taking our educational advocacy on the road, hosting air quality workshops in Allegheny and surrounding counties for local elected and municipal officials. GASP is hopeful these workshops will help equip your local leaders with the information they need to better represent you on the air quality front.
“Municipal officials and elected leaders are tasked with understanding the intricacies of so many important issues facing their communities - from taxes and budgets to road maintenance and zoning rules,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We know just how complex air quality issues can be and hope that our primer will be a go-to resource for local officials.”
GASP educator Laura Kuster agreed.
“The information compiled in our primer and shared in our workshops goes beyond FAQs about air pollutants and emissions sources,” she said. “It also provides details about grant funding sources and information related to creating climate action plans.”
And there are perks to attend: At each workshop, municipal officials who attend will be eligible to win a free PurpleAir monitor for placement in their community.
GASP is currently seeking community partners in Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties (we’re lookin’ at you, civic groups, education centers, and libraries).
Stay tuned, GASP will be hosting workshops throughout 2023.
Editor’s Note: If you’re a community group, municipal official, or staff member reading this and you’d like more information, don’t hesitate to email our executive director for more details at patrick@gasp-pgh.org.