GASP's Executive Director Patrick Campbell will be among the panelists at the 15th SWPA Grassroots Townhall, which will focus on Allegheny County Council's failure to take action on an Allegheny County Health Department proposal increasing certain air quality permitting fees.

The need for increased fees was first mentioned at an Air Advisory Committee meeting last June, and has since been approved by that body, the Allegheny County Board of Health, and in the court of public opinion via a public comment period where it received nearly unanimous support.

Despite being recommended for approval by Allegheny County Council's Health and Human Services Committee, the issue has not even been discussed before the entire board - presumably because there are not the required 10 votes in favor of the proposed fee increases.

The fee schedule changes, which are administrative in nature and cover the costs of services the Air Quality Program renders to permitted facilities, are legally mandated. Without them, the Air Quality Program is operating at a deficit, with no plans to fill 12 vacant positions, initiate any new programs or research projects,

Indeed, a county administrator recently told the Air Advisory Committee that the department was simply trying to preserve the status quo - which isn't the place Allegheny County needs is Air Quality Program to be in, especially now.

Join us to learn more and discuss next steps.