The EPA on Nov. 20 published a   proposed rule  that would redesignate Allegheny County from “nonattainment” of the 2012 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter (the “2012 NAAQS for PM2.5”) to “attainment.”   EPA’s proposed rule is based on monitored air quality data that shows that all areas of the county attained the 2012 NAAQS for PM2.5 during the years 2018, 2019, and 2020.  The proposed rule also discusses more recent monitored air quality data, which shows that all areas of the county have continued to attain the 2012 NAAQS for PM2.5 since 2020. To attain the 2012 NAAQS for PM2.5, the three-year average of the annual arithmetic mean of monitored air quality data for an area must not exceed 12 micrograms per cubic meter (12 µg/m 3 ).   Among other requirements, to be redesignated from “nonattainment” to “attainment” of a NAAQS the air quality regulator for an area must submit a plan to EPA that shows that the area will continue to attain the NAAQS (which the Allegheny County Health Department has done). EPA’s proposed rule also identifies some of the emission controls that local sources used to reduce their emissions of PM2.5 since the promulgation of the 2012 NAAQS for PM2.5, facility closures that contributed to reductions in PM2.5 levels in Allegheny County, and federal and state regulations that contributed to those same reductions.   That part of the proposed rule is well worth a read.  “The proposed rule is the capstone of a lot of good work that has been done over the last decade to bring Allegheny County into line with the 2012 NAAQS for PM2.5,” said GASP’s Senior Attorney John Baillie. EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule through December 22, 2025.  You can submit comments at   www.regulations.gov  or via email to gordon.mike@epa.gov ; identify your comments by Docket ID No. EPA-R03-OAR-2025-1777.

The Board of Health on Wednesday approved revisions to Allegheny County Health Department’s portion of Pennsylvania’s State Implementation Plan (SIP). What is a SIP? Here’s how ACHD explains its website: When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes a new National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) or revises an existing standard, it sets in motion a series of actions aimed at ensuring that air quality throughout the country meets those standards. State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are plans put together by states to help them meet the new or revised NAAQS. The EPA designates areas as meeting ("attainment") or not meeting ("non-attainment") the new NAAQS. If an area meets attainment, states are required to develop a general plan to maintain the NAAQS. If an area is classified as non-attainment, states must formulate a specific plan to meet the new NAAQS. These plans are known as SIPs and are developed by state and local air quality management agencies and submitted to EPA for approval. Find more information about SIPs. In this case, the updated coke oven regulations promulgated by EPA necessitated these revisions. An ACHD representative noted that the revisions were needed to align the SIP with requirements set forth in a 2024 consent decree reached between U.S. Steel, environmental organizations and the health department that lowered the limit on sulfur dioxide emissions from the battery stacks at Clairton Coke Works from 35 grains per dry standard cubic foot to 25 grains per dry standard cubic foot. The revision also corrected the number of coke oven batteries operating at Clairton Coke Works. As a result of that consent decree, U.S. Steel permanently shut down its oldest battery, number 15. In other business, the Board of Health also approved its 2026 meeting schedule: ●      12:30 p.m. Jan 14 in the Gold Room ●      12:30 p.m. March 18 at the Food Bank (further details TBA) ●      5:30 p.m. May 13 in the Gold Room ●      12:30 p.m. July 15 in the Gold Room ●      5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Gold Room ●      12:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Gold Room

Good, nay, great news, friends: Allegheny County Council today finally voted to approve Allegheny County Health Department's proposed permit fee schedule increases necessary to fully fund our air quality program. The room was packed with residents and environmental advocates. The vote was 13-0. Council members Suzanne Filiaggi and Jack Betkowski were absent. The prelude to the public comment period and vote was...untraditional. We absolutely recommend watching the meeting (that action starts at around the 1:10 minute mark). “We want to say THANK YOU to council,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “This vote was long overdue and very much needed.” GASP also wants to take a moment to recognize YOU. Without your activism, comments, phone calls - your VOICE - we truly do not believe it would have been a yes vote today. THANK YOU! "Last night's vote was such a tremendous community win," Campbell said. "So many residents and advocates showed up meeting after meeting, made phone calls to council, crafted statements and shared information on social media. It's a amazing example of what we can accomplish when we all work together. Since ACHD announced the shortfall in June of 2024, this has been a concern for so, so many of us." Editor's Note: Here's how we got here: Here's some media links from the meeting last night: Allegheny County Council to hike fees on U.S. Steel, others (Public Source) Allegheny County Council approves increases to air-quality permit fees | TribLIVE.com

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 : 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. 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. 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.

Remember the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (otherwise known as RGGI)? We blogged a number of times  about Pennsylvania’s attempted entry into program. As a reminder: RGGI is a cap-and-trade system that a number of states in the northeastern United States participate in.   Under the system, large fossil-fuel fired electric generating units are required to purchase credits to allow their emission of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), which they can trade. The idea? By gradually reducing the number of credits available for purchase in Pennsylvania, statewide emissions of CO 2 would be reduced over time.   In Pennsylvania, proceeds from the sale of CO 2 emission credits was to have been used to fund energy efficiency projects. We say “was” because as part of this week’s deal on the formerly stymied Pennsylvania budget, it was agreed that the regulations implementing RGGI in Pennsylvania would be abrogated, meaning that Pennsylvania will not participate in RGGI.  You may recall that Gov. Tom Wolf’s attempt to impose RGGI by regulations promulgated by the Department of Environmental Protection drew a legal challenge from [mostly, if not entirely] Republicans in the General Assembly based on the argument that the requirement to purchase CO 2  emission credits was a tax, and that under the Pennsylvania Constitution taxes may be imposed only by an act of the General Assembly.   The RGGI opponents’ argument was upheld by an order of the   Commonwealth Court , and DEP’s appeal of that order is currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, although that appeal would now seem to be moot. All of which is for the history books.   Gov. Josh Shapiro has, however,   pledged  to take as-yet-unspecified steps to make electric power generation in Pennsylvania both cleaner and cheaper while promoting job growth in the energy sector. A tall order, to be sure.   We’ll keep you posted on his efforts to do so as he makes them.

The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) has submitted comments on Cleveland Cliffs’ Monessen Coke Works draft Title V Operating permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The facility is a conventional coke plant producing coke and related carbon by-products and is located in Monessen along the Monongahela River.  The Monessen Coke Works facility includes two coke batteries, by-products recovery process plant, boiler operations plant, biological wastewater treatment facility and barge unloading facility GASP's comments on the draft Title V Operating Permit focused on:    the need to include a compliance assurance monitoring plan for the facility's pushing operations, or to incorporate such a plan by reference  AND the need to incorporate throughput limits for the facility's charging, underfiring, pushing, and quenching operations; and  the need to incorporate recordkeeping requirements for those same operations. You can read our entire comments here.

The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) has submitted comments on Carlisle Construction’s draft Title V Operating permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). By way of background: Carlisle Construction is a manufacturer and supplier of building products for the commercial and residential construction markets. GASP's comments on the draft Title V Operating Permit focused on:    the need to include a requirement that emissions from the facility's foam panel sawing operations be captured by a baghouse  the need to include a monitoring requirement to assure that the baghouse is complying with emission limits AND  the need to set a minimum operating temperature for the regenerative thermal oxidizer that the facility uses to control emissions, also to assure compliance with emission limits. You can read the  entire our full comments on the permit here.

GASP is thrilled to share a critical opportunity to elevate the conversation around environmental justice right here in our backyard - our friends at 412 Justice are co-hosting the National People's Hearing Tour later this month. This two-day public gathering slated for Nov. 21 and 22 at the Omni William Penn Hotel Downtown and will be centered on testimonies, community-driven solutions, and cultural celebration, inviting people from across the nation to share their experiences and envision a better future. Why This Event Matters to GASP and Pittsburgh The purpose of the People's Hearing in Pittsburgh directly aligns with GASP's mission to advocate for a healthier region. This event will: Convene community representatives from Pennsylvania and surrounding regions to testify about the threats to their health, land, and work—many of which are directly tied to air quality and pollution. Create space for dialogue to lay the groundwork for policies and movements that will secure a cleaner, healthier, and economically and culturally vibrant future. In the face of attempted environmental regulatory rollbacks and efforts to silence community platforms, this hearing offers a vital stage. It's an opportunity to ensure that the experiences and knowledge of those most impacted by pollution— your experiences —are put back on the public record and uplifted nationally. Join Us: Your Presence is Your Power! We hope those who can WILL add their voices at this historic event or simply attend to stand in solidarity with like-minded folks seeking positive change. Need more info? Want to register? All that can be found here.

Did you hear? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $115 million in grant funding for projects that cut harmful pollution from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines - and GASP is encouraging local communities to apply for a cut of the money. Here’s the skinny: Under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant funding competition, EPA anticipates making four to 10 awards in each of EPA's 10 regions to eligible applicants. EPA is soliciting applications nationwide for projects “that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating at goods movement facilities in areas designated as having poor air quality.” Applicants may request funding to upgrade or replace older diesel-powered buses, trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and nonroad equipment with newer, cleaner technologies. Priority for funding will also be given to projects that engage and benefit the health of local communities already overburdened by air pollution, protect grant-funded investments from severe weather events caused by climate change, and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended. EPA is seeking cost-effective diesel emission reduction projects that maximize health benefits, reduce diesel exposure for those facing poor air quality, and/or employ community-based inclusive and collaborative approaches to reduce harmful emissions. By way of background: Diesel-powered engines move most of the nation's freight tonnage, and today nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines. Smog- and soot-forming diesel exhaust impair air quality, threatening the health of people in nearby communities. Exposure to this pollution can lead to disruptive and costly asthma attacks, illnesses, lost days of school and work, and emergency room visits. These adverse health effects have been shown to disproportionately impact children, older adults, those with heart or lung conditions, and low-income and minority communities. DERA enables EPA to offer funding to accelerate the upgrade and turnover of legacy diesel fleets. Funding opportunities for diesel reduction projects are provided through an annual appropriation by Congress to DERA. DERA prioritizes funding projects in areas facing the largest air quality issues. Many of these projects fund cleaner engines that operate in low socio-economic areas whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart, and lung diseases. More than 73,700 engines, vehicles, or other pieces of equipment were replaced or retrofitted to run cleaner with DERA funds during fiscal years 2008 to 2018, according to the DERA 5th Report to Congress . The grant funding opportunity is open until Friday, Dec. 1. For any questions on the application, applicants should email written questions to: dera@epa.gov . For any technical issues with grants.gov, please contact grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov . More information, including applicant eligibility and regional funding breakdowns, can be found at the DERA website .

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected Allegheny County's Targeted Airshed Grant for funding, awarding money to directly address environmental and health inequities in the Mon Valley by replacing diesel buses with new ones zero-emission vehicles for Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). In a press release Monday, officials said that the $10 million in additional funding from the EPA will allow Allegheny County to lower the emissions PRT buses produce in the Mon Valley. The grant will get the agency closer to the goal of a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2045. The $10 million grant will be utilized by PRT to replace four 40-foot diesel transit buses. These new buses will serve riders in the Mon Valley area. The grant will also support the purchase and installation of two electric chargers along with the necessary infrastructure in the garage to which the buses would be assigned. The new zero-emission buses are anticipated to be purchased and put into service in 2026. Zero-emission buses have been shown to contribute to healthier communities, especially communities that are classified as in high need by environmental justice indexes, like EJScreen or the environmental justice index developed by the Allegheny County Health Department. The Mon Valley is a major travel corridor. Pittsburgh Regional Transit operates 23 bus routes serving the Mon Valley carrying 52,400 riders on an average weekday. Seven routes operate on PRT's Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway, reducing trip times for riders traveling between Mon Valley communities, Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, and downtown. Based on data collected and analyzed by the ACHD, PM2.5 emissions from vehicles contribute about 25% of all air pollution in Allegheny County, according to the release. “This is great news,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “Our neighbors in the Mon Valley grapple with poor air quality more than most, so all efforts to help combat diesel and other emissions can only help improve quality of life for those folks.”