GASP’s origin story prominently features strong women - mothers and matriarchs who organized in their living rooms, inviting their friends and neighbors into their homes to advocate for policies and protections to clean up our air. In its infancy (note: our inception was all the way back in 1969), GASP was truly a grassroots endeavor: We had no foundation support or grant funding to help fill our coffers.  So how did we raise money? Glad you asked: They sold cookbooks.  And to celebrate the holiday season, one of our staffers decided to take it upon herself to recreate one of the most iconic of them: The Fun Bun Dirty Gertie. Was it delicious? Of course it was! In fact, it was so tasty that we wanted to share the recipe with yinz: Then we thought, “Wonder how many bakers we have in our ranks - people who might want a vintage GASP Fun Buns cookbook of their very own?”  Because we found a cache of them during an office cleanout, and while supplies last, we wanna send them to folks who make a charitable donation of any size. Email us at kathy@gasp-pgh.org  to secure your piece of GASP history!

Bad news to report today, friends. Here’s what’s going on: As you may recall, back in July, we blogged about the EPA’s   proposal to postpone compliance deadlines  in the revised National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for integrated iron and steel manufacturing facilities (the II&S NESHAPs), including U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock.  GASP also   spoke out against  the proposed postponement in September. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, EPA has decided to go ahead with its proposed postponement of the compliance deadlines in the II&S NESHAPs.  On Dec. 3,EPA published a   rule  in the Federal Register that finalized the postponement that it proposed earlier in the year.   As was the case for the postponement of deadlines for standards for coke ovens’ emissions of hazardous air pollutants, EPA relied on “infeasibility” and “national security” concerns to justify the delay.  “This is yet another decision by EPA to put corporate convenience ahead of public health,” said GASP’s Senior Attorney John Baillie. “It is a disappointment.”

Friends, we’re not gonna lie: We are absolutely abuzz over here in the GASP office! Why? Because you all showed up for us BIG on Giving Tuesday and we wanted to send out the loudest, most heartfelt THANK YOU to every single person who threw down a donation for clean air. While we're still tallying the final numbers, we can tell you something pretty amazing: We completely blew past our $1,500 goal!   Seriously, yinz are incredible! This outpouring of support reminds us of how we got started in the first place: GASP began as a small, scrappy, grassroots group of everyday folks. They weren't politicians or big shots - just neighbors, parents, and friends deeply concerned about the air quality where they lived, worked, and raised their kids.  Fast forward 56 years, and that fundamental support system hasn't changed much at all. Our mission—to improve air quality for everyone in the Pittsburgh region—is still being sustained by the very people who got this whole advocacy party started: Everyday heroes who care. Please know that your donation, whether $5 or $500, is vital to the work we do, funding everything from air quality monitoring and educational outreach to our legal and policy advocacy. PS: Stay tuned for the final total—we can't wait to share it! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to keep the momentum going? You can always make a donation  here!