The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Tuesday announced in a press release that it executed a Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty with Range Resources-Appalachia, LLC (Range Resources) in the amount of $198,920 for violations of state regulations and the Air Pollution Control Act. The violations occurred in 2013, 2014, and 2015 at the operator’s Costanzo 1H and 2H and Cross Creek County Park 6H and 8H unconventional natural gas well pads located in Mount Pleasant and Cross Creek townships, Washington County, respectively. As part of this settlement, the municipalities where the violations occurred are eligible to receive funding for air quality or other environmental projects. Each facility contains storage tanks and associated equipment that may emit volatile organic compounds (VOC), which the operator is required to report annually to DEP. Range Resources exceeded the potential to emit 50-ton or more of VOC threshold that would have qualified both sites as Title V facilities and subjected each to major source permitting requirements. Range Resources failed to apply for or receive a Title V permit. The operator then installed air cleaning devices to reduce VOC emissions from storage tanks and associated equipment at the facilities without first applying for or receiving authorization. However, installation of these air cleaning devices was successful in reducing potential VOC emissions to a level below the Title V permitting threshold—a significant reduction from 2013-2015 emissions—and making the sites eligible for certain regulatory permitting exemptions. During its investigation, DEP requested data on all of Range Resources’ facilities to determine if this was a widespread issue and determined that it was an isolated incident. In August 2015, Range Resources reported to DEP that in connection with an internal self-audit, the operator recalculated its annual emissions utilizing a more conservative (i.e. higher emission estimating) and generally accepted methodology than it previously utilized for 2013, 2014, and 2015 for all of its facilities. Generally, the recalculated emissions were higher than previously reported. The recalculated Costanzo site’s VOC emissions exceeded 50 tons per year in 2013 and 2014 regardless of which method was used and using the more conservative methodology the Cross Creek County Park site’s VOC emissions exceeded 50 tons per year in 2014. Range Resources is responsible for paying emission fees for years that VOC emissions exceed the Title V threshold, and a penalty and associated interest because the fees were not timely paid. In addition, civil penalties were assessed for the violations. The payment of civil penalties, fees, and interest will go into the Pennsylvania Clean Air Fund, and a portion of the civil penalty will be eligible to be disbursed to the communities where the violations occurred. In accordance with Act 57 of 2011, Cross Creek Township will be eligible to receive $20,744 and Mount Pleasant Township will be eligible to receive $21,293. The townships must submit project proposals for DEP approval: • to eliminate or reduce air pollution, • for parks, recreation, trails, or open space projects, or • opt to have the county seek the funding for a proposed project. #airpollution #airquality #CleanAirAct #RangeResources

Fifty years ago, the first Earth Week drew millions of participants across the U.S. to New York City. It was a moment that captured the hearts of many Americans who dedicated themselves in the fight for clean water, land, and air. This year GASP is teaming up with southwestern Pennsylvania organizations to escalate the alarms sounded that first Earth Day to raise awareness of the dire urgency required to save our region and the planet. A regional coalition has joined forces to raise the decibel level and Declare a Climate Emergency. An epic, creative collaboration of dozens of local activists, organizations, musicians, artists, videographers and more hopes to raise the bar and call for a list of actions and demands. While we cannot join with one another in close physical proximity due to COVID-19 concerns, the event promises to be nonetheless historic. The Pittsburgh Earth Week 2020 Teach-In marks a first in the history of SWPA. The goal is to amplify new and familiar local voices from a broad spectrum of Pittsburgh organizations and frontline communities. Together we will raise up the concerns of many with an epic, creative collaboration of dozens of local activists, organizations, musicians, artists, videographers and more. There will be two events. Sunday, April 19, a Virtual Teach-In will feature speakers, artists, and musicians who will address the harm inflicted on our most marginalized and environmental justice communities. Topics to be addressed include housing, education, employment as well as environmental assaults from air and water pollution, the expanding petrochemical complex and climate change. The second event will begin at midnight on April 22. A virtual 24-hour Youth Climate Strike broadcast on Fridays for Future Pgh Instagram will feature a team of Fridays for Future Pittsburgh students who will call for a Climate Emergency Declaration. Upper St. Clair High native Leandra Mira will lead the way. “Neglect for science and the environment today means that our silent streets have become a second silent spring,” says Tracy Baton, project organizer of the Teach-In and an organizer of Pittsburgh Women’s March. “The current environmental assault is most brutal for those that are also most vulnerable.” The Teach-In will convey the lessons on taking action at the personal, community and systems levels – from food security, urban housing and recycling to reducing our carbon (and petrochemical) footprint and voting this year to elect strong leadership in the primary and presidential elections. Michelle King will lead the Teach-In as host and moderator. A self-proclaimed love activist and instigator of learning, King is a middle school teacher who has taught more than 22 years in SWPA schools. “On the 50th anniversary of Earth Week, let us listen to what our people have to say,” says King. “We are encouraging everyone in communities across our city and region to take the time to listen as we raise up the voices of our people. Whose stories are still invisible? Who are on the front lines of justice? Who is not at the table of these critical conversations? How might we recognize the interconnectedness of environmental, social justice, and public health issues? As the emcee, my aspiration is to weave the threads of our stories of triumph and challenge together by listening to our people of all ages, histories, races, genders, orientations, (dis)abilities and lived experiences.” More than 50 organizations have aligned to work together on these events. A complete list of partners can be viewed on the Earth Week Pittsburgh website. Proceeds raised during the Teach-In and Youth Climate Strike will support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. There are three ways to Watch Live Stream on April 19: 1. Watch the Teach-In Live on Earth Week PGH website (preferred) 2. Watch Live on YouTube 3. Watch Pittsburgh Earth Week 2020 on Facebook Register for the latest updates via Eventbrite. #ClimateEmergency #EarthDay #PittsburghEarthDay

The departments of Health and Emergency Services of Allegheny County announced in a press release Thursday that they have joined forces to ask residents to “be a good neighbor” and reduce the amount of smoke and air pollution they produce during the COVID-19 crisis. In most county municipalities (not all so check your municipal ordinances), recreational burning of clean, dry wood in a 3 feet by 3 feet pile at least 15 feet from the property line is legal. However, officials are asking county residents to voluntarily refrain from recreational burning. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has observed an increase in legal recreational burning with some taking place for extended periods during the day. “With more people at home due to the pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in recreational burning. The resulting smoke reduces local air quality and for our neighbors and friends with chronic diseases such as asthma or COPD, local burns can trigger the need for more medication, emergency medical visits, and deterioration of the chronic conditions,” ACHD Director Dr. Debra Bogen said. “Please – I ask you all during this crisis to think about the health needs of your neighbors and refrain from all backyard burns.” The COVID-19 pandemic poses threats to individuals with a history of heart or respiratory illness, and open burning adds to that burden. Smoke can increase an individual’s susceptibility to the virus and can also decrease a COVID-19 infected individual’s ability to fight the virus and worsen their symptoms. It can also result in non-COVID infected individuals having to seek medical attention during this crisis because of respiratory illness. Both departments have received a significant number of complaints related to open burning. ACHD has received twice the number of complaints as were received last year during this same time period. Many complaints have been related to trash burning which is prohibited in Allegheny County. While ACHD has inspectors that can respond to complaints, municipalities also have the authority to enforce the open burning rules and, in many cases, can respond more quickly to address the issue. “Help us help you,” Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown said. “We are entering the Spring brush and wildfire season which adds to the threat of a controlled burn becoming an uncontrolled burn.” Just like in other frontline careers, fire departments are adjusting operations to protect their members while still serving our communities. This includes steps to limit training activities, enforcing physical distancing when possible, closing fire stations to the public, and conducting evaluations of members for symptoms. The voluntary ban on burning can assist with those measures. Particularly during dry and windy conditions, open burning can lead to brush and other types of fires. Firefighters responding to those emergencies are working close to each other, are using personal protective equipment (PPE) that could be reserved for other emergencies and could be responding to other emergencies rather than one that could have be prevented if residents refrain from burning activities. GASP, which last week called on ACHD to do all it could to protect residents from people who take wood burning too far, thanked county officials for taking this action. “We appreciate that the ACHD is responding to community complaints and asking residents to refrain from open burning,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. For more information on the county’s Open Burning Regulations, visit https://j.mp/2wFVzEU. #airpollution #openburning #DrDebraBogen #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 4:48 p.m. Tuesday to include remarks from the Allegheny County Health Department. The American Lung Association’s 2020 “State of the Air” report once again gives Allegheny County a failing grade when it comes to air quality. The 21st annual air quality “report card”  tracks Americans’ exposure to unhealthful levels of ozone and particle pollution, both of which can be deadly. This year’s report covers the most recent quality-assured air quality data available in 2016-2018. Here are the key takeaways about our area: Pittsburgh ranks 8th on the list of cities in the U.S. most polluted by year-round particle pollution. The report notes that Pittsburgh is the only community in the list of top 25 most polluted cities that is east of the Mississippi River. Pittsburgh ranks 16th on the list of cities most polluted by year-round PM2.5 pollution. Allegheny ranks 16th on the list of counties most polluted by year-round particle pollution. Allegheny County received an F grade for the number of days with high levels of ozone. Allegheny County also received an F grade for the number of days with high particle pollution. One piece of positive news: Pittsburgh did have fewer unhealthy air days on average, one of only two cities on the list of 25 most polluted cities that saw improvement over last year. “While our overall ranking has improved slightly, at the end of the day our region is still failing – an F is an F — and that is unacceptable,” said Rachel Filippini Executive Director of GASP. “Unfortunately, nothing in this report should come as a surprise to local residents or the Allegheny County Health Department. Locally, ACHD knows what needs to be done: It can improve air quality by revising the County’s coke oven regulations and developing strong regulations that impose corrective action requirements on industry during short-term pollution events.” “Each year the American Lung Association publishes its State of the Air report. This report is a call to action about the importance of the impact air quality has on health. The report published in 2020 reflects data from 2016-18. Based on this data, the county received failing grades for high ozone days and 24-hour particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). However, the Allegheny County Health Department is pleased to report that our most current data from 2019-20 demonstrate that we are making significant progress and we will continue to aim for further improvements. She added that the report again underscores the need for better funding of Allegheny County’s Air Quality Program to allow for more robust monitoring and enforcement. On a national level, the “State of the Air” 2020 found that in 2016-2018, more cities overall had days with high levels of ozone and short-term particle pollution compared to 2015-2017, and many cities measured increased levels of year-round particle pollution. Report authors note that the most recent report coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, the landmark law that has driven improvements in air quality over its history. “This is critical because far too many communities reported air pollution that still threatens health, and climate change impacts continue to threaten to progress,” they wrote. “Further, harmful revisions and setbacks to key protections currently in place or required under the Act threaten to make air quality even worse in parts of the country. ‘State of the Air’ 2020 shows that we must not take the Clean Air Act for granted.” The report also shows that too many cities across the nation increased the number of days when particle pollution soared to often record-breaking levels. More cities also suffered from more days when ground-level ozone, also known as “smog,” reached unhealthy levels. Many cities saw their year-round levels of particle pollution increase as well. Here are some key takeaways from the national data: 45 percent of people in the United States live in counties with unhealthy levels of either ozone or particle pollution – more than 8.7 million more than last year. 42 percent of people in the United States live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone – 3 million more than last year. More than 21.2 million people suffer from year-round particle pollution. The ALA said its “State of the Air” 2020 report adds to the evidence that a changing climate is making it harder to protect human health. The three years covered in this report ranked among the five hottest years on record globally. High ozone days and spikes in particle pollution followed, putting millions more people at risk and adding challenges to the work cities are doing across the nation to clean up. It should be noted this is the fourth year in a row that worsening air quality threatened the health of more people, despite other protective measures being in place. “Climate change clearly drives the conditions that increase these pollutants,” the report reads. “The nation must do more to address climate change and to protect communities from these growing risks to public health.” The report called out several ongoing threats to our air quality. They included: A weakening of the Clean Air Act and Cleaner Cars Standards Removing limits on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Diminishing funds for air pollution enforcement In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, ACHD Deputy Director of Environmental Health Jim Kelly provided the following response to the report: “Each year the American Lung Association publishes its State of the Air report. This report is a call to action about the importance of the impact air quality has on health. The report published in 2020 reflects data from 2016-18. Based on this data, the county received failing grades for high ozone days and 24-hour particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). However, the Allegheny County Health Department is pleased to report that our most current data from 2019-20 demonstrate that we are making significant progress and we will continue to aim for further improvements.” Kelly goes on to cite examples of what the department called “successes,” adding that the department had applied for several grants. “To reduce air pollution in the region, ACHD recently submitted two applications to the EPA’s Targeted Airshed Grant Program. The goal of the program is to reduce air pollution in the nation’s non-attainment areas. Submitted proposals by the Health Department include clean vehicles for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, clean tugboats, and an electric switching locomotive.” Check back, this story will be updated with local reaction and links to associated media coverage. Report: Pittsburgh Region Among Worst in Nation for Air Quality, published by Pittsburgh Tribune-Review State of the Air Report Once Again Ranks Pittsburgh as One of the Worst. What to Do? published by NEXT Pittsburgh Pittsburgh’s Air Quality Gets Failing Grade…Again, published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Lung Association Report Focuses on Good, Bad, Ugly of Region’s Air Quality, published by the Observer-Reporter Report: Pittsburgh’s Air Quality Still Among Worst in the Country, published by KDKA Radio Climate Change Undercuts Air Pollution Improvements, published by WESA #StateoftheAIr #AmericanLungAssociation #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality

Today we’re celebrating an important milestone: The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day here in the United States! For those who might not be familiar, the holiday was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots environmental movement while also increasing awareness of ecological issues. To honor the occasion, your friends at GASP put together some ways to celebrate the holiday today: Take a hike and enjoy some sunshine, blue skies, and budding plants. While you’re out, see if you can spot lichen, which can tell you a little bit about your local air quality. Never heard of it? No worries, our Education and Events Coordinator Chelsea put together this video to give you the skinny. Grab some popcorn and tune into a recording of Pittsburgh’s Earth Week Teach-in. Originally broadcast this past Sunday, the program includes several hours of education, interviews, and more. Peruse the more than 200 videos on YouTube. Sign our petition imploring the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to apply for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for more benzene monitoring. By way of background: ACHD air quality monitor data show concentration of benzene, a cancer-causing air toxic, is above the acceptable risk levels for ambient air. You can learn more about the dangers of benzene. Learn more about memorable Earth Day milestones in this story by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Don Hopey. Break out the crayons and take a color break! Our friends at PennEnvironment have nature-themed, printable coloring pages on their website. Take part in a virtual Earth Day celebration hosted by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (it goes through 6 p.m. today). Show a little love to Mother Nature by taking a walk around your neighborhood and picking up litter (with gloves and a mask if you’ll be around people, of course). Check out the myriad activities on the Pittsburgh Earth Day website. There’s a plant-based recipe contest, a recycled design contest, and much, much more.

GASP on April 20 submitted comments regarding Pennsylvania’s proposed “Infrastructure SIP” for the eight-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) that was promulgated in 2015. For those who might be unfamiliar, in this case “SIP” stands for “State Implementation Plan.” By way of background: Section 110 of the Clean Air Act requires the states to submit infrastructure SIPs to demonstrate that they have the legal and bureaucratic infrastructure adequate to implement, maintain, and enforce any new or revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Accordingly, a proposed infrastructure SIP must include all applicable Clean Air Act requirements and demonstrate that the state has adequate personnel, funding, and legal authority to carry out those requirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to approve or reject Pennsylvania’s Infrastructure SIP for the 8-hour ozone standard. Our comments discuss two respects in which Pennsylvania’s Infrastructure SIP for the 2015 eight-hour ozone standard appears to be insufficient. Pennsylvania’s vehicle inspection and maintenance program does not require emissions inspections for all categories of vehicles that it must under the Clean Air Act – the Keystone State exempts diesel-powered cars from emission inspections even though the regulations that implement the Clean Air Act require such cars to be subject to emission inspections. Moreover, Pennsylvania’s vehicle emission inspection program incorrectly exempts cars registered in an eight-county region (including Blair, Cambria, Centre, Erie, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, and Mercer Counties) from the on-board diagnostic check required under the Clean Air Act’s regulations. Based on statements made by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Quality Board last year in connection with a stalled attempt to increase permitting and other fees charged to polluters by DEP’s Air Quality Program, it seems likely that the program will run out of money to do its important work sometime in the next couple years. Thus, DEP’s Air Quality Program may lack the financial resources that it needs to implement the requirements of the Clean Air Act in Pennsylvania #airquality #emissions #PennsylvaniaInfrastructureSIP #SIP

Congratulations are in order for GASP board member Maren Cooke, who was recently named as one of PennFuture’s Celebrating Women in Conservation Award honorees for 2020. Each year, PennFuture honors the accomplishments of exceptional women conservationists in Pennsylvania. The 2020 Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards are designed to encourage continuing excellence in conservation and to forge a stronger network of exceptional women working to protect Pennsylvania’s environment. Since its inception in 2015, this event has traveled around the state to different communities to ensure recognition of local leaders, volunteers, and career professionals. Maren was named the 2020 Woman of Environmental Community Engagement. For those who might not know Maren personally: She is a planetary scientist by training, though since completing a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT she has been engaged in science education, environmental activism, and the arts (ranging from wood engraving and pen-and-ink illustration through computer graphics to wood carving, timber framing, and stone masonry). Maren’s primary focus is on sustainability, and she has worked extensively on education, community building, land use issues, pollution prevention, local food systems, permaculture, urban farming, sustainable agriculture, and green building. She enjoys contributing to the community as a Tree Tender, an Urban EcoSteward, a Master Gardener, and a Climate Reality Leader. She maintains an online listing of environmental and social justice events (MarensList.blogspot.com) and hosts Sustainability Salons, a monthly environmental education forum drawing distinguished and passionate speakers to connect with diverse audiences on many important topics. “I can’t think of someone more deserving than Maren to receive this award,” said GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini. “She practices what she preaches and opens her home each month to help educate her friends, neighbors, and colleagues about a wide variety of environmental issues. I’m so glad to see her efforts being recognized.  Thank you PennFuture!” GASP President Jonathan Nadle agreed. “Maren is unique in Pittsburgh,” he said. “She brings enviable depth to her widely acknowledged breadth of knowledge. She is passionate, honest, and sincere, living her ethos and leading by example. Maren is very deserving of the award.” Winners will be honored at an event slated for Oct. 8 at the Pittsburgh Aviary. #sustainability #MarenCooke #PennFuture

Dear Fellow Breathers, While so much in our world and our daily lives have changed over the last few weeks, your friends here at the Group Against Smog and Pollution want you to know that one thing remains the same: Our commitment to ensuring people in western Pennsylvania can breathe easy. Our diligent staff continues to work (from home, right now, like so many others) on pressing air quality issues that impact the health and welfare of our local communities and the residents who live in them. We want you to know we continue to keep a close eye on air quality bad actors, as well as the regulators charged with ensuring they comply with all applicable laws and regulations. With so much upsetting news, we thought it was the perfect time to tell you something good. So, without further ado, here are five pieces of good news about our work around air quality: Allegheny County Council on April 7 introduced long-sought “clean construction” legislation. Similar to guidelines passed by the City of Pittsburgh back in 2016, the proposed legislation requires all county construction projects that cost $2.5 million or more to use the best available control technology, such as diesel particulate filters, on all on-road vehicles such as dump trucks, and off-road vehicles like backhoes and bulldozers. Diesel-powered construction equipment emitted more than 130 tons of fine particulate matter in the county in 2014, so this legislation would help improve regional air quality if implemented and reduce construction workers’ exposure to diesel emissions. Speaking of vehicle emissions: We recently teamed up with South Fayette Township to remind residents that one of the simplest ways to improve their air quality is to stop idling their cars. GASP provided “No Idling” signage, which the township posted in five of its parks, and its public works garage. Every 10 minutes of vehicle idling emits, on average, a pound of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. GASP Education & Events Coordinator uses pig lungs to demonstrate how the organ works. Even though in-person classes have been canceled at Pennsylvania schools, our education efforts have continued! Our education coordinator, Chelsea, has been hard at work creating at-home activities about air pollution families can take part in using items they probably already have at home. She also created an online volunteer training program for folks who want to learn more about air pollution and do more to help improve it. Stay tuned: We’ll also be launching a series of fun, educational videos. Our attorneys continue their important watchdog work, reviewing and commenting on air quality permits and fighting to ensure that the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) uses Clean Air Fund money for clean air projects; not multi-million-dollar office building repairs. The lawsuit we filed jointly with Clean Air Council against ACHD to make sure that happens is still ongoing. GASP continued to push ACHD to establish procedures to stem industrial pollution during inversions, and implement stronger coke oven regulations. Late last year we delivered a petition to ACHD signed by more than 500 people calling for them to achieve the Pennsylvania hydrogen sulfide standard by tightening up the county’s coke oven regulations. Health department officials have committed to work on them. We hope it’s some comfort knowing that GASP is still doing what we’ve done for more than 50 years: Advocating for progressive policies, educating people of all ages about air pollution, empowering people to be air quality advocates, and engaging in watchdog work both in and out of the courtroom. All of us here at GASP realize watchdog work is more important now than ever. Studies have repeatedly shown air pollution contributes to myriad health ailments, from asthma and cardiovascular disease to dementia and cancer. Now, research suggests chronic air pollution can even contribute to poorer COVID-19 outcomes. We know that we are in uncertain times, that many have been laid off, and that many more have had to temporarily shutter their businesses. We understand that so many are facing unprecedented financial insecurity. Small nonprofits like GASP are facing those same issues. That’s why support from members like you is crucial now. Making a one-time or recurring donation or renewing your membership are just a couple of ways you can offer help. We cordially invite you to sign up to be a GASP volunteer, to bookmark our website for the latest on air quality issues, and to join the conversation by liking and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you are able to make a donation, please know that we are so appreciative and that the money you entrust us with will be used wisely. As always, those who would like to make a donation may do so via check or via PayPal. If you would prefer, our office manager Kathy Lawson can also process credit card donations over the phone – just email her at kathy@gasp-pgh.org. From the GASP family to yours: Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to support our work. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. For Clean Air, Jonathan Nadle, President Rachel Filippini, Executive Director All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of Group Against Smog & Pollution, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. #airpollution #hydrogensulfide #emissions #ACHD #airquality

Editor’s Note: A U.S. Steel representative on May 13 provided an update to the Allegheny County Board of Health during the public comment portion of its meeting. His comments, which were submitted and read into the record instead of presented live because of COVID-19 restrictions, indicated that all of the upgrades specified in the agreement with ACHD have been met. The representative also indicated that the company was on target to meet upcoming deadlines. A lot has happened since the Allegheny County Health Department finalized a settlement agreement with U.S. Steel over ongoing emissions issues at its Mon Valley Works this past summer. Not only is there a new leader at the helm of ACHD, but the pandemic that has forced people to stay at home and practice social distancing has also taken a financial toll on U.S. Steel: Citing a nearly $400 million first-quarter loss, the company last week announced that it would immediately idle a blast furnace at the Edgar Thomson plant. U.S. Steel officials also confirmed that workers there would be furloughed. The company earlier shelved plans to build a cogeneration facility at its Clairton Coke Works that would have reduced emissions. At a time when so much is happening so quickly, the Group Against Smog and Pollution wants to ensure that ACHD is keeping U.S. Steel accountable for the facility improvements outlined in the agreement – and making sure those projects are completed by the deadline. Why are we bringing this up now? Because the first set of deadlines have already passed. The settlement agreement required U.S. Steel to install a cover and/or air curtains at the south side of the B Battery shed – projects designed to reduce fugitive emissions by May 1. The agreement also required U.S. Steel to upgrade all filter bags and filter bag cages on all PEC baghouses at the facility by May 1. And more deadlines are upcoming: U.S. Steel must file an initial report no later than June 1 detailing the company’s CITE (Continuous Improvement to the Environment) efforts and achievements in 2019. The company is required to submit such reports annually. U.S. Steel must have the first of five required environmental audits completed by July 1. No later than July 1, U.S. Steel must submit an application for an installation permit for the replacement PEC baghouses for Batteries 13-15 and 19-20 for improved capture and control of particulate matter. “This settlement agreement was too high-profile, and the underlying emissions issues too egregious, for the health department not to provide regular updates to the public,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “U.S. Steel has a less than stellar record when it comes to keeping its promises. It’s incumbent upon ACHD to ensure U.S. Steel is accountable for the promises it’s made – and by communicating these efforts, the health department would also be showing that it’s holding itself accountable to the public.” In addition to those improvements, the agreement also stipulates that a Community Advisory Panel overseeing how money from an associated Community Benefit Trust will be allocated meet for the first time during the first half of 2020. It is unclear if any such meetings have taken place or will by the June 30 deadline. “The purpose of the panel was to provide transparency and accountability regarding the more than $2 million to be spent on projects that will benefit the communities most affected by air pollution emanating from the Clairton Coke Works,” Filippini said. “To date, neither ACHD nor U.S. Steel has provided any kind of update on the progress of that panel or any associated projects. We need details.” For these reasons, GASP is calling on the Allegheny County Health Department to provide updates to the community as these deadlines approach, and as the company provides to officials reports and documentation as set forth in the final agreement. #USSteel #RachelFilippini #emissions #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #DrBogan #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality

We don’t have to tell you: Times are tough. The word “unprecedented” keeps coming up to describe how COVID-19 has affected the very fiber of our existence. The way we work. The way we shop. The way we interact with one another. Even the way we give. When it comes to fundraising, the hard truth for small nonprofits like us is this: Things might get worse before they start to get any better. Like so many other groups, GASP is funded primarily through grants, individual donations, and foundation support – resources that will be in even higher demand because of the pandemic. With apologies to the Beatles, we want to remind everyone that when things get tough, we get by with a little help from our friends. So, on this special GivingTuesday we want you – our friends – to know we need you now more than ever. On this #GivingTuesdayNow – a global day of generosity and unity, a time to come together and give back in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19 – we humbly ask for your support. All money donated will go toward the fight for cleaner air – a battle we’ve been waging for more than 50 years. You can make a #GivingTuesdayNow donation through the Pittsburgh Gives website. You can also make a donation or renew your membership (or sign up for one if you haven’t joined us yet) on our website. #GivingPittsburgh