The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) strongly condemns the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) repeal of critical federal emissions standards for existing coal-fired and future gas-fired electric generating units (EGUs). This is just the latest example of the Trump regime’s Polluters-First Agenda, which has eliminated limits on climate pollution from existing coal plants and future gas-fired power plants - no matter who gets hurt as a result. For those who need a little refresher, check out our explainer blog here. The regime is also attempting to double down on the egregious, anti-science repeal of the Endangerment Finding by proposing to eliminate all federal regulation of power plant climate pollution. “As a result, millions of Americans will continue to grapple with emissions from these polluters and pay even more for energy and electricity, with the most vulnerable communities suffering most,’ GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “The EPA’s duty to the American people is to protect the environment, not rewrite air quality rules to benefit polluters.” Our region has felt the heavy toll of coal and gas power plant pollution for generations. That’s why GASP has continuously tracked and fought against systemic delays and rollbacks surrounding major regional polluters—from coal plants like Conemaugh, Keystone, and the recently shuttered Homer City, to large natural gas-fired facilities like Tenaska Westmoreland. “Abdicating the EPA's duty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and power plant pollution undoes decades of incremental progress achieved through the Clean Air Act,” Campbell said. “Repealing federal climate standards and stripping federal oversight gives facilities permission to prolong dirty operations, worsening local air quality and accelerating global climate chaos.” Southwestern Pennsylvania residents already suffer from elevated rates of respiratory illness, heart disease, and pediatric asthma due to air pollution. The mission of the EPA under the Clean Air Act is clear: to protect human health and the environment. Surrendering federal authority over power plant emissions directly violates that core mandate. GASP will continue to advocate alongside local residents, scrutinize state implementation plans (SIPs) and Title V operating permits, and demand that federal and state regulators hold power plants accountable to public health, not corporate bottom lines. Editor's Note: Here is the full EPA announcement for those who would like to take a deeper dive.

Editor’s Note: The Allegheny County Health Department periodically updates its website to include documents related to air quality enforcement actions. As part of our watchdog work, GASP monitors this webpage and reports on the air quality violations posted there. Because the docket has not been updated since December 2025, GASP is now filing monthly public records requests to glean more timely information related to ACHD’s enforcement efforts. The below are the most recent actions received through the Right to Know process. American Airlines Slapped with Fine After Missing Deadline ACHD on June 30 issued an enforcement order against American Airlines Pittsburgh Maintenance Base for failing to pay its $4,250 annual operating permit maintenance fee by deadline. The enforcement order indicates that ACHD in February sent American Airlines two notices about the unpaid annual fee and a 50 percent civil penalty - $2,250 - for failure to submit that payment by the deadline. “As of the date of this order, ACHD has not received payment for the late payment civil penalty,” the document reads. The document indicates that the company had 30 days to pay the outstanding balance. No further information on the case was immediately available. You can read the enforcement order here. Neville Island Facility Fined for Exceeding Emissions Limits ACHD on June 30 issued a civil penalty of $13,195 to Lindy Paving on Neville Island for exceeding limits for nitrogen oxides emissions during a stack test that occurred on Oct. 16, 2025. Lindy Paving failed that stack test but continued to operate through November 30, 2025, when a permit amendment authorizing higher emission rates became effective. You can read the enforcement order here. Company Owned by North Braddock Mayor Fined for Air Quality Violations ACHD on July 29 issued an $11,050 civil penalty against Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and its contractor, C&C Master Cleaning and Restoration owned by North Braddock Mayor Cletus Lee, for asbestos-abatement violations related to the 2025 demolition of a structure located at 5808 Baum Boulevard in Pittsburgh. You can read the enforcement order here. Braddock Business Fined for Operating Without Air Quality Permits ACHD on June 30 issued a $9.900 civil penalty against Braddock-based Wheaton & Sons for operating a stationary source of air pollution without valid installation and operating permits since being informed of the requirement on May 1, 2026. Wheaton & Sons is “an establishment primarily engaged in fabricated structural metal manufacturing operations [including] machining processes, including two plasma cutters, one laser cutter, multiple press brakes, bandsaws, curving rolls, and punching centers.” “On May 1, 2026, ACHD issued a Determination Letter notifying Wheaton & Sons Inc. that ACHD had determined that the operations located at 108 Talbot Ave, Braddock, PA 15104 required an Installation and Operating Permit Application. The Determination Letter stated that Wheaton & Sons Inc.’s estimated potential emissions of Criteria pollutants are significant and above the threshold required for permitting.” You can read the enforcement order here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this week announced it entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with The Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company to resolve air quality violations at its Rochester Plant in Beaver County. According to a press release issued Tuesday, Sherwin-Williams will pay a total $124,700 civil penalty within 30 days of receiving the fully executed consent order. The air quality violations first came to light thanks to investigative reporting by KDKA’s Meghan Schiller after neighbors sounded the alarm over what they described as persistent chemical smell. The consent order addresses violations related to: Failure to install and operate air cleaning devices in a timely manner Air contaminant source construction/installation without proper plan approval Missed required startup notifications Failure to perform required monitoring and recordkeeping under permit and plan approval conditions Issues tied to required control equipment startup timelines and stack testing In addition to the $124,700 civil penalty, the agreement establishes stipulated penalties for future violations. For example, Sherwin-Williams will be fined $1,000 per day per violation for failing to meet any of the agreement deadlines, including those associated with the installation and operation of a Thermal Oxidizer and South Tank Truck Area Carbon Adsorber. The agreement remains in effect until DEP determines Sherwin-Williams has completed all required corrective actions and paid all required penalties. Editor’s Note: For those who’d like to take a deeper dive, you can access the full agreement here.