A crowd of residents from Clairton and surrounding communities packed the Church of Jesus Christ on Reed Street for an opportunity to finally share their personal accounts of how air pollution from a Dec. 24 U.S. Steel fire and its aftermath affected their health and well being. One by one the residents rose and made their way to the lectern, telling those in attendance for the listening session about their personal experiences with poor air quality. They talked about itchy eyes and sore throats, ear infections that cropped up out of nowhere, and respiratory infections that just wouldn’t go away —one woman said she was currently on her fourth round of antibiotics. One woman said she’s suffered from congestion and sore throat that has made it painful to speak and difficult to hear. A man told those gathered about how he often can’t go outdoors without the use of a portable air filter mask, and that he feared that he had to choose between his health—and life—or continuing to live in the Clairton home in which he’s long resided. “I spend a lot more time in bed. I have no appetite,” John Perryman told them, beckoning to the baggy pants he was wearing and adding that he had lost 40 pounds since the fire. For about 90 minutes, residents had the opportunity to speak out, as well as ask questions to representatives of the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), and experts invited by Clean Air Council and Citizens for Clean Air, which co-hosted the event with support from other area environmental organizations. Many residents spoke out about recent health ailments for which their doctors could name no cause. Others mentioned their frustration with U.S. Steel’s ongoing history of non-compliance with air quality regulations. Still, others voiced concern and anger over what they called a string of broken promises by the steel-making giant—that it would provide free health screenings for affected residents; it would clean up its environmental act, and be a good neighbor. “If U.S. Steel were good neighbors they would care about what they are doing to us,” resident Melanie Meade said. Myriad speakers acknowledged that they, or members of their family, had been longtime U.S. Steel employees and wondered publicly whether the serious illnesses they later suffered—cancers, respiratory diseases, and various forms of leukemia—could have been caused by exposure to air pollution there. There is no residual complaint, which is why my patient continues to take the medication after 15 months. Then, during a question-and-answer period, residents asked ACHD officials why there was a two-week delay in informing the public about the fire and associated air quality issues, pressing them about how communications can be more efficiently handled in the future. “We hear you,” a health department spokesman told them. The evening ended with a call for residents to stand united in their fight for better air quality, to stay engaged, and to continue to arm themselves with information related to air pollution. All were invited to a set of workshops slated from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 4 at the Community Economic Development Corp. in Clairton to learn about the health impacts of air pollution. Attendees will have an opportunity to rotate through three air quality presentations: Dr. Deborah Gentile will discuss health issues related to air pollution Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), which will provide an Air Quality 101 lecture, and Air quality monitoring experts will present about how the technology works and what is being detected in local air GASP live-streamed the event, which can be viewed in its entirety here. Editor’s Note: We will be including media coverage links below. Here’s what’s been published so far on the event: Clairton, PA, wants to be clear: Residents demand accountability from U.S. Steel, Environmental Health Project #airpollution #USSteel #airmonitoring #AirQuality101 #DeborahGentile #CleanAirCouncil #CitizensforCleanAir #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #Clairton #airquality

A recent report published by Clean Water Action details the history of violations of the federal Clean Air Act standards in the Mon Valley over the past 12 years. The results found air quality monitors in the Mon Valley recorded some of the worst air, not just in Allegheny County, but throughout Pennsylvania. The report details the failure to protect Mon Valley residents from illegal levels of both sulfur dioxide and fine particles, or breathable soot. More than 400 exceedances of federal standards for these types of air pollution have been recorded by air quality monitors in the Mon Valley since the EPA established the health-based standards in 2006. “This report makes clear that both industry and government have failed to protect Mon Valley residents. When we know that this pollution, especially from U.S. Steel, is harming people, it should not take a decade to act. There is talk of how we are improving, but in 2018 the Mon Valley clearly had the worst air in Pennsylvania,” stated Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania director for Clean Water Action. Among the key findings of the study: There have been 402 exceedances of federal air quality standards for sulfur dioxide and fine particles at Mon Valley monitors since the standards were set in 2006 (for particles) and 2010 (for SO2).  This represents 91 percent of the exceedances in Allegheny County. In 2018, the Mon Valley recorded 18 exceedances for fine particle and sulfur dioxide standards. This is three times as many exceedances for the rest of the state combined. Mon Valley residents are older, poorer, and more likely to be African-American than residents living in other parts of Allegheny County. EPA has identified over 40 percent of Mon Valley residents as being in groups considered vulnerable to the health effects of breathing high levels of air pollution such as sulfur dioxide and fine particles. The exceedances detailed in the report are for the daily fine particle standard and the one-hour sulfur dioxide standard. Violations of these short-term air quality standards are often the triggers for significant health events from asthma attacks to heart attacks. EPA has estimated that the health care savings from complying with these standards are 2-5 times higher than the cost of implementing proper air pollution controls. U.S. Steel announced recently that it is planning a large-scale investment in its Edgar Thompson Works in Braddock, and building a new power plant in Clairton utilizing coke oven gas. The continued reliance on coke production at their Clairton Coke Works without a needed overhaul of the 20th century coke ovens does not suggest air quality improvements for Clairton, Clean Water Action said in a press release. “While U.S. Steel has fixed fire damage at the Clairton Coke Works, this report makes clear that the long-standing pollution problems from US Steel remain to be tackled.  Simply burning coke oven gas for electricity will not protect residents from the many pollution sources at the Clairton Coke Works,” Arnowitt said. He continued: “U.S. Steel has the resources to both produce steel and protect residents.  Why is the Mon Valley being left behind, when other industries and places have cleaned up?  This is an environmental injustice that has gone on for too many years and needs urgent action, not just business as usual.” Editor’s Note: You can access the full report on the Clean Water Action website. #airpollution #sulfurdioxide #USSteel #MonValley #RachelFilippini #CleanWaterAction #EdgarThompsonplant #Braddock #Clairton #airquality

Congratulations are in order for GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini, who was named one of “25 Essential Pittsburghers” for her work on “the forefront of the battle for clean air.” NEXTpittsburgh, which compiled the list of honorees, shared this comment from one of Filippini’s nominators: “Rachel has been dedicatedly fighting to protect our air and water for years and without fanfare — and deserves some.” GASP couldn’t agree more. “It’s been a pleasure working with Rachel over the years. She’s deeply concerned about air quality and has become one of our region’s most effective advocates,” GASP board President Jonathan Nadle said. “She directs GASP with professionalism and care, creating a welcoming environment for staff and a great working relationship with the board.” He continued: “Her effective leadership allows GASP to wield an outsize influence, ensuring supporters get the biggest bang for their buck.” Filippini started at GASP in 2001, ascending to executive director in 2004. During her tenure here, she has been a changemaker. She spearheaded new Allegheny County air quality legislation, beefed up GASP’s work in local schools and communities, and helped take the lead on getting Clean Construction legislation passed in the City of Pittsburgh and beyond—all while keeping air pollution issues in the public spotlight. Thanks to her leadership, GASP has developed a comprehensive diesel program, as well as the Athletes United for Healthy Air campaign. It’s not just GASP and NEXTpittsburgh that has lauded her work and leadership: In 2009, Filippini was named one of Pittsburgh’s “40 Under 40.” Then in 2011, she was honored with one of the Women and Girls Foundation’s “Women Greening the Pittsburgh Region.” She has also served on Allegheny County’s Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee since 2017 and currently serves on the board of Pittsburgh United. Filippini said the recognition came as a very pleasant surprise. “I’m honored to be listed alongside so many dynamic area leaders—people who have done, and continue to do, so much to improve the city we all call home,” she said. #AthletesUnitedforHealthyAir #airpollution #RachelFilippini #diesel #CleanConstruction #airquality

GASP needs your help to send a message to the Allegheny County Health Department that enough is enough: The public deserves a substantive update on the air quality issues revolving around U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works facility. Read and sign our petition below. Editor's Note: The deadline to sign the petition has passed. Thank you to everyone who signed! #noticeofviolation #airpollution #USSteel #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #EdgarThomsonPlant #ACHD #airquality

A reddish-brown plume emanating from U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant Wednesday evening prompted questions and complaints from nearby residents and clean air groups. Video on the Breathe Project’s Breathe Cam captured video of the emissions, which spewed from one of the plant’s stacks around 6:43 p.m. June 17. GASP was among those who reported the incident to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and reached out to U.S. Steel via social media to ask what had happened. While U.S. Steel has stayed mum on the cause of the emissions, ACHD on Friday morning tweeted: #USSteel #emissions #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #EdgarThomsonPlant #ACHD

The American Lung Association released its annual air quality report. Read press release here #airquality #AmericanLungAssociation #StateoftheAirreport

Erie Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution taking a formal position on what it called “toxic pollution emerging from the Erie Coke Plant.” Here’s a great summary of the associated meeting from GoErie.com: “Janice Etchison wanted to make one thing clear to Erie City Council members as she stepped to the microphone.The concerns that she and others share about how Erie Coke Corp. operates are “not just an eastside issue,” Etchison told council members at City Hall on Wednesday morning. “This is a serious concern for the whole city.”Etchison, who lives on East Ninth Street, is a member of an Erie community organization, Hold Erie Coke Accountable, that has been closely monitoring environmental regulation issues at Erie Coke, located at the foot of East Avenue.The group also applauded Erie City Councilwoman Kathy Schaaf, who sponsored a resolution requesting that council send a formal letter to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection “regarding the toxic pollution emerging from” Erie Coke’s plant.” Here is the letter council approved to send to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest Regional Office about the matter: “We, the City Council Members of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania, unite this April 4th, 2019 to stand behind and support the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the EPA as it works to ensure compliance with environmental regulations that serve to protect the public, our investments, and safeguard Erie as a great place to live work and play. Whereas City Council sees the DEP and EPA continually bring to our attention, the media, and citizens of Erie concerns for the on-going violations incurred by Erie Coke Corporation located at 925 East Bay Drive Erie, Pennsylvania 16512; Whereas City Council watches during this critical period of heightened scrutiny while DEP reviews Erie Coke’s re-application for both its required federal Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit for air pollutants and Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for discharge of pollutants into our waters, we urge Erie Coke to fully disclose information and data as required; Whereas as a City Council body we acknowledge complaints by citizens of Erie that downwind, foul odor permeate their homes and soot and black smoke visibly emit from the plant;Whereas City Council confirms the health and wellness of our citizens are paramount to us and gives this the highest priority; Whereas City Council affirms that our citizens and community deserve the right to live without the toxic pollution that could possibly one day make them fall ill to debilitating illness, cancer or death;We as City Council urge all Erieites to be in touch with the DEP with any concerns or information, and any detection of emissions and odors regarding Erie Coke. Be ready to participate in public meetings and a hearing that the DEP will conduct in Erie as part of the DEP’s promised process in a review of Erie Coke’s permit applications; We as City Council commend the DEP’s enhanced review of Erie Coke’s permits which has been elevated to an “Enhanced Public Participation” process per the Environmental Justice Policy in recognition of the decades of the plant’s violations and the sensitive, low income downwind communities; We as a City Council body demand that the Erie Coke Plant be held accountable to all DEP and EPA regulations, to upgrade its facility as required or shut down their plant;We as City Council believe Erie’s future resides on the quest for high quality of life and it is essential that our workers and residents are afforded safe and healthful conditions essential to prosper and thrive; We as City Council understand that  Erie’s economic and social equity aspirations don’t equate with news of repeated industrial violations, daily sooty airborne stains wafting over our waterfront and neighborhoods, and foul odors that cause residents to retreat into their homes and offices; With this resolution the Erie City Council desires for our business community and residents to know that we are standing up for a prosperous and healthy Erie as a 21st-century city of choice.” For more information on the recent administrative order DEP filed against Erie Coke Works, check out our blog. For more information on a community event being held jointly by HECA and GASP, the details are here. #DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection #ErieCokeCorp #HECA #HoldErieCokeAccountable

Read press release here #CleanAirCouncil

Photo courtesy of the HECA website. Editor’s Note: The following is from a press release issued April 4 by our friends at Hold Erie Coke Accountable. Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA) is partnering with the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) to update the public on Erie Coke’s ongoing violations and the high stakes impact for Erie’s quality of life and prosperity. The “Erie Coke Plant Community Impact Update” event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the East Middle SchoolAuditorium, 1001 Atkins St. Erie, PA. A panel of environmental scientists will address Erie Coke’s operation and impact on air quality, water quality, and soil contamination. Also discussed will be the recent closing of Erie Coke’s sister plant in Tonawanda, New York, and insights into the on-going enforcement actions by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on the plant on Erie’s waterfront. Principal presenters will be: Mike Campbell Ph.D., a science and biology professor at Mercyhurst, who researches water quality issues and is a core member of HECA Michelle Homan, Ph.D., a Gannon professor/Environmental Science and Engineering researcher, who tackles air quality concerns, and who is also a core member of HECA GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini and staff attorney Ned Mulcahy, who will review regulatory affairs specific to coke facilities and their impacts relative to a healthy population, environment, and economy with insights on how GASP works to hold polluters and regulators accountable. Regulatory offenses by Erie Coke continue even as the plant has re-applied for its federal operating permit. Currently levied by the DEP are 53 infractions composing an administrative order to be addressed as part of the permit review process. At issue is Erie Coke’s impact on air quality, water, soil, fish, and the residents of Erie who are working to position Erie as a great place to live, work and play. HECA is a non-profit, non-partisan citizens and community initiative, inspired by the civic resolve that Erie’s rise as a leading 21st Century city of choice rides on high quality of life and a healthy environment, requiring that the Erie Coke Plant be held accountable to operate in a safe and violation free manner for the safety of all. #DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection #HoldErieCokeAccountable #airpollution #NedMulcahy #MichelleHoman #MickeCampbell #RachelFilippini #ErieCokePlant #airquality

Editor’s Note: We wanted to make sure everyone saw this new campaign from our friends at PennFuture. The below blog was taken from a press release the group put out earlier this week. PennFuture this week launched its Toxic Neighbor campaign to engage citizens in telling U.S. Steel three ways to improve Clairton Coke Works: Retire Clairton Coke Works’ oldest, dirtiest and most problematic coke batteries, which are Batteries 1, 2 and 3 Modernize Clairton Coke Works by investing in technologically advanced upgrades to ensure better air quality and Mon Valley jobs, now and in the future Commit to public transparency about plant operations, especially in cases of emergency The Toxic Neighbor Campaign launched on Monday, March 25, 2019, with bus shelter, print, and digital advertising. The campaign’s call-to-action is for citizens to visit www.toxicneighbor.org to sign a petition and/or contact U.S. Steel directly to make the company accountable for the air pollution coming from the Clairton Coke Works. “We created the Toxic Neighbor Campaign as a way for those most affected by the pollution created by the Clairton Coke Works to add their voices to our demands of U.S. Steel,” said Jacquelyn Bonomo, president and chief executive officer of PennFuture. “These are not extreme measures. We are presenting reasonable and rational solutions to the decades-old problems of poor air quality and unhealthfulness. We are advocating for plant improvements that will address toxic pollution and allow industrial jobs to continue into the future.” State Rep. Austin Davis also weighed in. “As the state representative of the 35th legislative district, I am committed to the well-being of families. I believe we can have both clean air and good jobs, but one cannot take precedence over the other. It will take a collaborative effort to accomplish this goal, but I’m confident it can be done so that the Mon Valley and its residents can prosper,” Davis said. The launch of the Toxic Neighbor Campaign is timed to coincide with a March 24, 2019 benchmark in a March 2016 consent judgment between Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and U.S. Steel. That agreement requires U.S. Steel to certify that it has complied with the judgment’s terms, including addressing problem batteries at the Clairton Coke Works. The consent judgment was associated with a January 2015 PennFuture legal action. Retire Batteries 1, 2 and 3. “Retiring Batteries 1, 2 and 3 at the Clairton Coke Works—which is the country’s oldest coke plant— would have a real and measurable impact on pollution. Batteries 1, 2 and 3—which have a shelf life of 50 to 60 years—date from the mid-1950s,” Bonomo said. “These oldest batteries are subject to many stringent regulations but have performed unreliably for years. By replacing Batteries 1, 2 and 3, U.S. Steel would both resolve its compliance issues associated with these batteries and improve air quality in the Pittsburgh region.” Rachel Filippini, executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution, said it’s time for U.S. Steel to invest in modernizing the facility. “U.S. Steel has struggled with compliance for decades and if it breaks air pollution laws it is the community that ultimately suffers by way of increased asthma and heart attacks, strokes, cancer and premature death,” she said. “A pledge by U.S. Steel to close the dirtiest batteries and invest in modernizing the facility would go a long way in showing their commitment to the community’s health and prosperity.” Modernize Clairton Coke Works In 2012, U.S. Steel replaced three 1950s-era Clairton batteries with a new “C-Battery,” resulting in a significant decrease in small particulate matter (PM2.5). At that time U.S. Steel also committed to replacing Batteries 1, 2, and 3 with another updated battery—sometimes referred to as D-Battery—but changed plans, saying the company couldn’t afford it. Instead, it installed two less-expensive low-emission quench towers as a trade-off. “The excuse of not being able to afford upgrades at Clairton Coke Works no longer flies,” said Bonomo. “U.S. Steel reported 2018 adjusted net earnings of $957 million, compared to $341 million in 2017. The company is investing $750 million in modernizing its Gary, Indiana operation and $215 million in restarting construction on a technologically-advanced steelmaking facility in Fairfield, Alabama. These same investments are needed in the Mon Valley to ensure a better future for our communities and our air, and would mean job security for industry workers.” The Clairton Coke Works has a legacy of pollution and operational problems. Most recent was the 2018 Christmas Eve fire that confined nearby residents to their homes due to the toxic air conditions it produced. Nine sulfur dioxide exceedances occurred at two air monitor locations. “The huge increase in pollution by U.S. Steel since the recent fire at the Clairton Coke Works is just the latest failure by this company to comply with clean air standards that most of the country now enjoys. The Mon Valley and Pittsburgh deserve better,” said Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania director for Clean Water Action. “If U.S. Steel commits to making much-needed investments in Clairton, then we can see both continued employment and healthy air that can protect our kids and our grandparents.” Although U.S. Steel hastened to expedite post-fire repairs, air quality in Clairton and Pittsburgh continued to deteriorate for weeks. The Allegheny County Health Department issued its second enforcement order in less than a year on February 28, 2019. “Based on the Health Department’s February enforcement order, U.S. Steel emitted 74,100 pounds per day of sulfur dioxide on January 29, 2019. That level is 35 times what it was before the fire. That is the weight of three school buses of emissions on one day,” said Matthew Mehalik, executive director of the Breathe Project. “If these figures are representative of what is being produced, that means that U.S. Steel is emitting the same amount of pollution every 10.5 days as what it would emit in a year prior to the accident.” Commit to Transparency U.S. Steel has taken steps to improve its relationship with Clairton Coke Works stakeholders and community members. It created a website—clairton.uss.com—which is updated regularly. The company provides the Health Department with weekly reports, and Clairton public officials have been attending weekly meetings with representatives from Clairton Coke Works. However, the community isn’t yet satisfied. “You don’t need to tell me to plant more trees to improve the air. You shouldn’t be telling me what to do to fix the problem that U.S. Steel has created. That’s U.S. Steel’s problem. My community needs a grocery store,” said Clairton Deputy Mayor Richard Ford. “I have lost a grandfather, a father, a sister, a daughter, and a son to cancer. I’m not saying it’s all U.S. Steel, but it needs to invest the money to fix those old batteries now to improve our community.” About The Toxic Neighbor Campaign The campaign is intended to raise awareness in the region of ongoing issues at Clairton and encourage citizen action—by signing the petition to U.S. Steel and/or contacting U.S. Steel directly—to improve air quality. U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works affects the 37,000 people living within a three-mile radius of the plant. However, its pollution does not remain stagnant—it travels, impacting other areas of the county and city, especially Pittsburgh’s East End. Campaign ads appear at area bus shelters and in print and digital media. Community members are encouraged to spread the word about the campaign using social media and the hashtag #toxicneighbor. The Toxic Neighbor Campaign, which runs for two months beginning March 25, is targeted to residents as well as civic and community leaders. PennFuture launched the campaign with the support of members of the Breathe Project. For more information, visit www.toxicneighbor.org. “U.S. Steel has been a Toxic Neighbor for decades, but unfortunately things have only gotten worse in recent years. By putting profits before public health, U.S. Steel exposed residents to dangerous pollution,” said Zachary Barber, field organizer with PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. “If it wants to kick its reputation as a Toxic Neighbor, U.S. Steel must listen to leaders and community members and make these investments to clean up the conditions at the Clairton plant.” #PM25 #enforcementorder #airpollution #USSteel #RachelFilippini #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #PennFuture #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality