The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has notified U.S. Steel and other major source polluters that emissions mitigation plans submitted to comply with Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode Rules are “unacceptable,” and ordered them to modify and resubmit paperwork or face possible fines. You can read all about that Mon Valley Episode Rule here. In a Jan. 31 Order of Disapproval and Order for Compliance, ACHD notified U.S. Steel that the mitigation plan submitted for its Clairton Coke Works facility was insufficient for myriad reasons. Chief among them: that the 3 percent estimated plantwide reductions in particulate pollution (both PM 10 and PM 2.5) were not great enough. “Source is required to resubmit a plan that will reflect a greater reduction of its actual emissions from (30 listed processes) such that said reductions will have an appreciable effect on air quality…during any air pollution episode,” the order noted. ACHD issued a similar order to the company over mitigation plans submitted for its Edgar Thomson facility in North Braddock – noting among other things that U.S. Steel’s proposed 4 percent reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 are “insufficient.” Orders were also issued to: Clairton Slag in West Elizabeth Township ELG Metals in McKeesport TMS (USX Edgar Thomson) TMS (West Mifflin) The companies have a period of 30 days to either resubmit their plans or appeal the ACHD’s decision. Noncompliance could result in fines of up to $25,000 a day. The orders indicate that the current mitigation plans are to remain in effect until the modified documents are submitted. While GASP appreciates that ACHD appears to be carefully reviewing the mitigation plans and pushing for greater emissions reductions that better protect ambient air quality and public health, we remain disappointed by the lack of transparency. “These mitigation plans are a necessary tool for protecting the public’s health, we don’t see any reason why the health department cannot and should not make these mitigation plans available for public review,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We encourage the health department to post these plans on its website for transparency’s – and accountability’s – sake.” Rest assured that GASP will continue to press ACHD on this issue and report back to you what we find out. #EdgarThomson #ClairtonSlag #ELGMetals #USSteel #MonValley #emissions #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #mitigationplans #MonValleyAirPollutionEpisodeRule #airquality

GASP has been following the soap opera that has become Pennsylvania’s efforts to enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (otherwise known as RGGI). Just so everyone is on the same page before we get too much further into this saga: RGGI is a cap-and-trade program that uses a two-pronged approach to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from certain electric generating units (known as EGUs) in participating states. The first prong reduces CO2 emissions by establishing a regional budget for such emissions from units that are subject to the program as well as a statewide budget for each of the participating states. Here’s how it works: Each participating state issues CO2 allowances (with each allowance representing one ton of budgeted CO2 emissions) and sells them through quarterly auctions. Electric generating units subject to the program must purchase a CO2 allowance for each ton of CO2 they will emit. Then, those CO2 allowances may be auctioned across state lines within the participating states. You can get caught up with the legislative and procedural back and forth on our blog. But here’s the most recent crux of the issue: As we told you back in February, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had filed an action to compel the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish the regulations – the final step to implementing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in Pennsylvania. That move prompted the state Commonwealth Court to issue a one-page, unsigned order last week that blocks the Legislative Reference Bureau from publishing the regulations. Then DEP took action, appealing the Commonwealth Court’s decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Presumably, the regulations will not take effect pending the Supreme Court’s resolution of this dispute. We’ll continue to keep you posted on new developments as they occur. #airpollution #greenhousegases #RegionalGreenhouseGasInitiative #RGGI #JohnBaillie #emissions #carbondioxide

This Earth Week we wanted to reiterate that the benefits of recycling cannot be understated. It reduces the amount of waste sent to our landfills, conserves natural resources, and prevents pollution by reducing the need for new raw materials. And that’s just the shortlist. Unfortunately, not all municipalities in our region offer weekly pickup of recyclable materials. If you live in one of these neighborhoods, don’t despair: There are many resources in our area where you can take your recyclables. Because it DOES make a difference. Recycling & You The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, for example, reports that residents and businesses recycled more than 5.47 million tons of resources in 2018 (the most recent data available). And those recyclables cut more than 9.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from our air. This number is also equivalent to more than 2 million passenger vehicles taken off the road for one year. Here’s what you need to know if you want to up your recycling game: There are databases and search engines designed to specifically help people find recycling drop-off centers and other resources near them. Check out RecycleSearch, Earth911, Call2Recycle, and Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Check out the resources available here in Allegheny County. The county regularly partners with the PRC to organize collection events. You can check their events calendar to find one near you. There are also periodic Household Chemical Collections and Hard to Recycle / eWaste Collections. Then there’s ReuseFest, a one-day drop-off event for gently used materials destined for reuse by numerous local nonprofit organizations. The Allegheny County Health Department’s recycling division also publishes the Recycling Resource Directory, which gives county residents information about where specific materials can be recycled. In fact, there’s a glass recycling program happening this month. The Importance of Reusing While recycling bottles, cans, and other materials is so important, so is reusing – we’re talking about buying second-hand and so-called upcycling of everyday items like clothing. Why are we talking specifically about your clothes? Because they make a bigger environmental impact than you might think. In the United States, the number of garments purchased by Americans has tripled since the 1970s. Globally, more than 80 billion items of clothing are purchased each year – the majority of which will be thrown in the trash. The World Resources Institute estimates that the so-called “fast fashion” industry each year releases about 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Or to put it another way: In the United States, the number of garments purchased by Americans has tripled since the 1970s. That’s helped lead to a whopping 85 percent of textiles going to the dump each year. And consider this: The equivalent of one garbage truck of clothing is burned or dumped in a landfill every second. The air quality impact is stunning – the World Resources Institute estimates that the fashion industry annually releases about 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Fortunately, there are many ways each of us can help combat fashion-related waste and pollution. The first is to alter your buying habits. Here are six other ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your clothing: Be mindful of what clothing you are throwing away. If possible, mend or repair clothing and buy second-hand instead of something new. Ensure your clothing lasts longer. This one is easy – just wash and dry your clothing at lower temperatures and line dry when you can. Look at those tags if you must buy new. Select garments that are well-made and avoid synthetic materials like polyester, which releases nearly three times the carbon emissions of cotton. Normalize second-hand shopping. Check out local thrift, vintage, and consignment shops for new-to-you clothes. Consider donating. There are so many places that accept gently used clothing here locally – so drop them off at a thrift store or nonprofit like Dress for Success. Know that even stained and torn clothing can be repurposed. If your clothes are beyond repair, don’t toss them out – recycle them. Through what’s called textile recycling, otherwise unwearable clothing items are collected and made into other products. Locally, the University of Pittsburgh now has a number of locations to collect textiles. You can read more about that on the Pitt Sustainability website. Support companies that are sustainability champions. Before you make your next purchase, do some research. Check out their website and social media presence to determine if your favorite clothing company takes sustainability seriously. Locally, check out stores like Calligramme, Flux Bene, Idia’Dega, Kelly Lane, Knotzland Bowtie Co., Mossy Lane, and Three Pigs Vintage. Did we forget one of your favorites? Email us at amanda@gasp-pgh.org and we will add it to the blog! Here are some local resources to consider: Dress for Success Pittsburgh East End Community Thrift Goodwill Red, White & Blue Thrift Store Salvation Army St. Vincent de Paul Society To learn more about clothes recycling opportunities, check out these organizations and programs: Blue Jeans Turn Green Project Center for Creative Reuse Construction Junction The Bra Recyclers Council for Textile Recycling Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse Secondary Materials for Recycled Textiles Zero Waste Box Editor’s Note: What sustainability-conscious local companies do you support? Drop us a note in the comments below. #DressforSuccessPittsburgh #airpollution #Goodwill #BlueJeansTurnGreenProject #PittSustainability #fastfashion #CouncilforTextileRecyclers #airquality #ZeroWasteBox

Have yinz taken Allegheny County Health Department’s a community health survey yet? If not, what are you waiting for? For the uninitiated: The community health survey for residents covers a variety of topics such as health care access, chronic disease, health risk behaviors, environment, maternal and child health, and mental health and substance use disorder. ACHD said the survey results will inform it on its progress toward the goals laid out in the Plan for a Healthier Allegheny, a multi-year countywide plan that focuses on physical, behavioral, and environmental health across the county. "Results from this survey will help the Allegheny County Health Department better understand the health needs of our community," said Dr. LuAnn Brink, deputy director for the Allegheny County Health Department Bureau of Data, Reporting & Disease Control. "When Allegheny County residents participate in this survey, it helps us gather the information we need to plan for and take action to improve health equity and ensure that we have a healthier Allegheny County for all." The Public Health Assessment Survey is a web-based survey that is focused on achieving broad and diverse participation among county residents. The survey is compatible with smart phones and will remain open through April 2024. “We hope residents take this opportunity to tell the new administration what a healthier Allegheny looks like to them, to their families, and in their communities,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. ACHD hopes to have 3,000 participants from the county's population of almost 1 million adults. Let’s help them get there, fill out the survey here https://bit.ly/pghachd.

GASP was honored to stand alongside U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and fellow clean air advocates today to announce a $40 million federal grant awarded to First Student to purchase100 electric school buses that will dramatically improve air quality, advance environmental justice, and combat climate change statewide. Of the 100 electric buses, 45 will be given to the Pittsburgh Public School District. GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell was there to celebrate the historic investment and encourage other local school districts to apply for funding in light of the deadline being extended to 4 p.m. Feb. 14 so more Pittsburgh schools are able to improve student health by transitioning from diesel buses to electric school buses - each one of which will remove 23 tons of greenhouse gas every year. Here are his comments from today's press event: It’s an honor to be here to celebrate this tremendous investment - because today isn't just about the acquisition of new eclectic school buses; it's about investing in the health of our children and the lungs of our city. The investment in electric buses is a turning point. For generations diesel buses have spewed harmful pollutants that hurt public health and drive climate change. But imagine buses that leave no exhaust fumes behind. Imagine quieter mornings, free from the rumble of diesel engines. That's the reality electric buses bring. Children - particularly those with asthma and respiratory issues - get to experience the joy of quietly getting to school, and without an asthma attack caused by diesel exhaust. This translates to fewer missed school days, improved lung function, and a healthier childhood overall. Every electric bus on the road means cleaner air for all Pittsburghers - reducing respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and even premature deaths. By embracing electric buses, we are more effective stewards of our environment, leaving a healthier planet for future generations. This isn't about better health alone; it's about transforming our communities into vibrant places that support a good life. Electric buses are quieter, reducing noise pollution in our neighborhoods. They're more efficient, lowering transportation costs and dependence on fossil fuels. They're a practical symbol of innovation, showcasing Pittsburgh's commitment to a sustainable future. This is a chance to set an example, proving that cleaner transportation is not only possible, but essential. Especially in environmental justice communities where these buses travel.  It's an investment in our children, our environment, and our future. Let's embrace this change. Let's celebrate the arrival of these 100 electric buses, not just as vehicles, but as commitment to a healthier, cleaner, and hopeful future for Pittsburgh. Thank you.

The sun is shining in winter in Pittsburgh and we have great news to share! No, you are not dreaming. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a press release earlier today announced it will lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. In less mathematical terms, that means the more stringent standard will better protect America’s families, workers, and communities from the dangerous and costly health effects of fine particle pollution, also known as soot. The EPA expects that the change will prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, yielding up to $46 billion in net health benefits in 2032.In addition, for every $1 spent from this action, there could be as much as $77 in human health benefits in 2032, according to the EPA. “Frankly, it will save lives,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “The EPA should be applauded for making good on its commitments to prioritize environmental justice and public health.” You can check out the entire EPA news release here. GASP expects that other aspects of the new rule will start to address historic inequities and injustices, including cleaning up the air in communities of color, fenceline communities, and lower-wealth areas already overburdened by pollution. Editor’s Note: GASP staff is reviewing the new rule - stay tuned, we’ll have an explainer soon!

We wanted to extend a big THANK YOU to everyone who attended our Safe at Home: Understanding Common Environmental Hazards webinar. GASP would be remiss if we didn’t also express our gratitude to our panelists leading our Jan. 30 event. First there was Rhett “The Energy Doctor” Majors, who has been helping people in our area save energy, provide a healthy living environment, and be more comfortable in their homes and businesses for more than three decades. Rhett has been an energy auditor, field supervisor, quality control inspector (QCI), and weatherization director of both utility and weatherization assistance programs. Our Safe at Home webinar also featured Heath Papinchak, who owns and operates Welcome Home, Home Inspections with her wife, Becky. Welcome Home, Home Inspections has offered residential home inspections and various environmental testing such as lead water, mold, and radon for the past eight years. Last but certainly not least, GASP was joined by Nesta Bortey-Sam, an assistant professor dealing with environmental and occupational health at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in environmental chemistry at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology in Ghana and his doctorate in toxicology at Hokkaido University in Japan. If you missed it, no worries: The event recording is now available on GASP’s YouTube channel (go ahead and hit that Subscribe button when you get there!). You can also watch it here: Editor’s Note: We wanted to encourage our friends concerned with indoor air quality to also check out our friends at ROCIS and their FREE air monitoring program.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has begun an emergency project to plug two leaking abandoned natural gas wells along Scrubgrass Road in Scott Township. Tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6, DEP’s contractor will begin plugging two leaking abandoned wells - Nixon 501-1 (003-00960) and Nixon 501-3 (003-00962) - using emergency plugging funds. DEP’s contractor will be removing trees and potentially flaring the wells in preparation for plugging. Flaring is the controlled burning of natural gas from a well and may be necessary to evacuate gas from the well to ensure it can be safely plugged. The project is expected to take about a month to complete with a goal to permanently eliminate the potential for these wells to leak methane. “Due to the increasing methane levels, DEP has determined that this project is necessary to protect public health, safety, and the environment,” officials said in a release Monday. “Without this emergency project, the well could continue to deteriorate and stray methane gas could migrate into nearby sewer lines through the soil. The existing two leaking abandoned wells increase the risk of gas levels accumulating to unsafe levels if adverse weather conditions exist which would prevent the gas from dissipating. DEP will monitor stray gas while plugging the well.” DEP previously performed an emergency mitigation project in 2019 to address stray soil gas in the area. Recently, methane levels around the wells increased, and DEP and Scott Township officials have received a number of odor complaints around the Kane Woods Nature Area. DEP has allocated unprecedented resources to plug orphaned and abandoned wells, which allowed Pennsylvania to leverage millions in federal funding. Two additional wells in this area - Nixon 501-4 (003-00963) and Charter 502-1 (003-00964) - are slated to be plugged later this year using federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds. Orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells can leak methane, a potent greenhouse gas, that contributes to climate change. Methane can migrate into buildings and water supplies. Pennsylvania has over 30,000 orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells on its inventory and hundreds of thousands of legacy wells may be unaccounted for, posing a major financial liability and environmental, public health, and safety risk. Editor’s Note: Speaking of methane, did you hear that the EPA just proposed new regs aimed at reducing emissions of the hazardous pollutant in the oil and gas industry? It’s complicated, but our senior attorney John breaks it all down in plain language.

Editor's Note: U.S. Steel on Jan. 26 appealed this enforcement order. You can read the appeal document here. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has issued an enforcement order against U.S. Steel, having determined that emissions from the company’s Clairton Coke facility caused 152 exceedances of the state hydrogen sulfide (H2S) air quality standard between March 2, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023. The 14-page enforcement order, dated Dec. 29 but uploaded to the ACHD website late this week, indicates those exceedances occurred at ACHD’s Liberty Borough monitoring site. Here’s a breakdown of the fines: In addition to paying the civil penalty, the order also requires U. S. Steel to “take action to prevent future exceedances of the H2S ambient air concentration standard from occurring and provide ACHD with a plan to achieve and maintain compliance with its requirement to not cause exceedances of the H2S ambient air concentration standard.” Upon notification of ACHD's approval of the compliance plan, U. S. Steel is required to immediately implement it. The plan must be completely implemented within 45 days after that approval. The company is then required to submit a report to ACHD detailing the actions it’s completed by date. However, if ACHD determines the compliance plan is ineffective in eliminating exceedances of the H2S ambient air concentration standard, it may require U.S. Steel to submit a revised compliance plan and/or may pursue other remedies available in Article 21. “This is the type of action GASP has been imploring ACHD to take,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “Last year alone there were 103 H2S exceedances at the Liberty monitor. That’s 103 days on which residents’ health and quality of life were inhibited.” He added: “We hope that this latest enforcement action leads to a compliance plan that finally stems this issue once and for all. And if it doesn’t, we hope ACHD swiftly takes further action. Enough is enough.” GASP staff is currently reviewing the order, which you can read for yourself here. We continue to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted. Editor’s Note: In March of 2022, ACHD published a comprehensive study analyzing potential sources of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) that have been driving exceedances of the Pennsylvania 24-hour average H2S standard at its air quality monitor in Liberty Borough. You can read that study here.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $1.28 million in funding to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure, and some of that will fund projects right here in Allegheny County. Cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure is a big deal, especially here in Pennsylvania, where 47 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles, and transportation contributes up to 22 percent of Pennsylvania's overall greenhouse gas emissions. The DEP grant program provides funding to help school districts, municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania replace these older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric, renewable natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, biodiesel, or propane gas fueled vehicles. It also funds installation of fueling equipment for these vehicles. The funding program engages a diverse range of stakeholders in advancing sustainable transportation. This includes Environmental Justice Areas, which DEP defines as a geographic area characterized by increased pollution burden, and sensitive or vulnerable populations based on demographic and environmental data. The 13 projects funded are estimated to save 95,555 gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) per year. Eight projects are located in or serve EJ Areas. Here are the local projects funded by the DEP grant program. Congrats to awardees: Churchill Borough: $15,000 for the purchase of two Class 1 EV passenger vehicles for use by the Borough’s police department. Borough of Oakmont: $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 2 EV light duty truck for use by the Borough’s Parks Department maintenance staff. West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority: $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 1 EV passenger vehicle. Allentown Mack Sales & Service Inc: $98,807 for the installation of DC Fast chargers, as well as Level 2 chargers, at two locations, one in Allegheny County and another in Schuylkill County.