A group composed of residents and local officials on Wednesday released its final visioning report for the sustainable redevelopment of the former Shenango Coke plant property located on Neville Island. The report, which includes a set of guiding principles is intended for use by future developers of the of the 50-acre site on the Ohio River, was created by the Shenango Reimagined Advisory Council. Members of that council include: Residents from Neville Island Allegheny Land Trust Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County Allegheny County Economic Development Elected officials from the boroughs of  Bellevue, Ben Avon and Emsworth Allegheny County Clean Air Now and The Breathe Project. These efforts were facilitated by non-profit Delta Institute. “The Guiding Principles provide a framework for redevelopment of the site that recognizes its positive economic development potential for a reuse that will not create negative economic or environmental consequences for Neville or surrounding communities,” said Roy Kraynyk, of the Allegheny Land Trust. The re-visioning process identified seven guiding principles important to the community for the redevelopment of the former Shenango site: While the reuse of the site should maximize net revenue to local and regional taxing bodies, is should not burden the public with expenses associated with mitigating negative impacts to air quality, water quality, roads or public health. Future users of the site should develop and maintain a positive relationship with local community stakeholders and mitigate any negative environmental impacts arising from the development of the property or the operations therein. The site should NOT be used for any industry that is considered a major source of air emissions requiring a Title V operating permit. Remediation of the site should be completed in accordance with the state Department of Environmental Protection Act 2 Cleanup standards to ensure public waterways, groundwater, and public health are protected. Additionally, remediation of the site should be attractive for desirable reuses. The site should NOT be used for activities related to hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) or the petrochemical industry. The site redevelopment should provide an opportunity to create sustaining jobs and workplace development opportunities for Allegheny County residents. Sustainable characteristics such as LEED Certification and Energy Star Certification are encouraged. “The Guiding Principles were created by the Council to keep us on track for site ideation, environmental considerations, and both financial input and economic development for Neville Township and surrounding communities,” said Daniel Lenz, Emsworth Council Member. The year-long site re-visioning process culminated in a two-hour community meeting on Feb. 19 to provide neighbors the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and learn more. More than 60 residents and 18 organizations attended the meeting, along with state Reps. Anita Kulik and Adam Ravenstahl. Attendees expressed desire for the site’s reuse to benefit the surrounding communities, and for a collaborative relationship between community groups and the new site owner. “The site visioning report and Guiding Principles were well received by community members who attended the public meeting, which included residents, community officials, and environmental groups,” said Karen Grzywinski, of Allegheny County Clean Air Now. Grzywinski also serves as a board member for GASP. The revisioning process also identified 20 site reuse ideas that are in alignment with Guiding Principles and market forces ranging from light- to heavy- industrial use, as well as specialty manufacturing. Ideas for the reuse of the site included everything from a commercial bakery or brewery to equipment or electronics assembly—all recommendations based on market analysis, with an emphasis on generating tax revenue and adding jobs to the local economy while minimizing or eliminating any potential negative environmental impacts. Editor’s Note: Shenango Coke Works shut down operations in 2016 following emissions issues at the site and associated legal action—some of which GASP initiated. #airquality #ShenangoCokeWorks #TitleV

Folks in the Liberty-Clairton area on Monday again endured some of the worst air quality in the nation, according to AirNow.gov, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website that tracks the Air Quality Index (AQI) throughout the United States. According to initial data from the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), the 24-hour average concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the Liberty monitor ended Monday at 0.007 ppm, exceeding the state’s limit of 0.005 ppm. While concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Allegheny County Monday were less-than-ideal, they did not cross any regulatory lines. Editor’s Note: We prepped some graphs for those who would like to take a deeper dive into the data. #H2S #hydrogensulfide #exceedance #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #Clairton

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include information from an Allegheny County news release. Links to stories from local media on the announcement were also added. Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Wednesday announced that the incoming health department director will be Dr. Debra Bogen of Pittsburgh. “Please welcome Dr. Debra Bogen as the new director of (ACHD). A pediatrician with (Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh), she will be formally appointed later today by the Board of Health and is expected to assume the position in May,” he tweeted. He then thanked members of the board of health for its help in the selection process. “And a special thanks to Ron Sugar and the entire team at (ACHD) for the work they’ve done — and continue to do — to protect the health of Allegheny County residents.” The county has been seeking a new leader for the health department since the departure of Karen Hacker, who left in July to take a position with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to her bio on the UPMC Health Policy Institute, Bogen is a professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and clinical and translational science and director of the Fellowship in General Academic Pediatrics and HRSA NRSA T32 in Primary Care Research. She is also the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine vice chair for education in the Department of Pediatrics and co-medical director of quality, safety and outcomes, Children’s Community Pediatrics. She earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Barnard College of Columbia University, her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and did both her pediatric residency and fellowship in general Academic Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins. “We have many challenges ahead of us, but her focus on health equity and addressing those health issues where rates are racially disparate will allow us to continue moving towards a county that works for all. Just as importantly, she is energized and excited to jump into this position and serve our community,” Fitzgerald said in a press release issued by the county around lunchtime Wednesday. “We are delighted to have her.” According to the release, the committee overseeing the search for the new director “sought a person that could work with and build consensus among various stakeholders, embrace innovation as a way to support public health, prioritize and focus on issues that underscore the department’s mission, and would serve as the public face of the department.” While the search was national, county officials said their pick is ended up being someone “right here in our own backyard.” The entire release can be viewed on the Allegheny County website. “We look forward to working with Dr. Bogen to champion air quality issues when she takes the helm of the health depart in May,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. Here’s a roundup of local news stories about the announcement: New Director of Allegheny County Health Depart. Being Announced, published by WTAE Allegheny County Set to Name New Health Department Director, published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Allegheny County Health Department Director To Be Announced, published by the Pittsburgh Business Times Allegheny County Health Department Names New Director, published by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review New County Health Director Comes in as Expert in Equity, Children and Mothers, published by Public Source Pediatrician to Become Head of Allegheny County Health Department, published by WESA New Allegheny County Health Department Director Announced, published by WPXI #AlleghenyCountyBoardofHealth #DrDebraBogen #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality

The Feb. 21 enforcement order, which was posted to the Allegheny County Health Department website Friday, indicates that U.S. Steel failed its emissions tests conducted on Oct. 8-11 and on Oct. 14, 2019 for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at Clairton Coke Works C Battery. According to the order, U.S. Steel was pumping out 12.3 pounds of pm2.5 an hour on average during that period in October. Its installation permit limits the company from emitting more than 3.4 pounds per hour of the air pollutant. On one of those days—Oct. 14, 2019—the Liberty-Clairton area residents endured some of the worst air quality in the nation, with AQI spiking to 163 that day. You can read the entire enforcement order here. U.S. Steel was also fined for emissions issues at its Clairton Coke Works in January for which they were assessed a $743,000 fine. #airpollution #USSteel #AlleghenyCountyHealthDeparment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality

In fact the air quality was poor enough that the 24-hour average Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) level at the Liberty monitor exceeded the state limit Sunday—finishing the day at 0.008 ppm according to initial data from the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). The limit is 0.005 ppm. That means that the H2S standard has been exceeded 10 times so far in 2020. Unless conditions improve this afternoon, there will likely be another exceedance of the H2S standard today. For those keeping track: The 24-hour average concentration of H2S at the Liberty monitor was also exceeded on March 2. #H2S #airpollution #hydrogensulfide #LibertyMonitor #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality

The following is a summary of some of the lesser-known enforcement actions ACHD has taken so far in 2020: Notice of Violation Letter Issued to BRP4 LLC, Level Line Building ACHD on Feb. 12 issued a Notice of Violation letter to Wexford-based limited liability company BRP4 LLC for asbestos abatement violations stemming from the April 15, 2019 demolition of a commercial building in Wilkins Township. According to the notice, BRB4 LLC failed to submit to ACHD an asbestos abatement survey conducted by a licensed inspector prior to the demolition as required. The notice also alleged that the company failed to submit to ACHD and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a required demolition notification form and report within 10 days of the work commencing. BRP4 LLC has until March 12 to appeal the order. You can read the entire Notice of Violation letter here. Notices of Violation Issued to Liberty Pultrusions ACHD issued a notice of violation to West Mifflin-based Liberty Pultrusions on Feb. 3 and an amendment thereto Feb. 14 related to emissions testing the company conducted Oct. 15 and 16, 2019. Article XXI regulations require that when facilities analyze their emissions for permitting and compliance — so-called “stack tests” — that these tests be conducted under maximum routine operating conditions. According to the company’s initial test report submitted to ACHD, the tests failed to meet this requirement. Liberty Pultrusions responded to the Feb. 3 notice by acknowledging a test covering one of its production lines failed to meet the Article XXI standard but that a correctable calculation error was to blame for the second test appearing to be noncompliant. The Feb 14 amendment states that “(w)ithin 90 days of the date of the Feb. 3, 2020 Enforcement Order, Liberty Pultrusions shall conduct a formal stack test of Pultrusion Line 1 … under maximum routine operating conditions.” For those who might not be familiar: Pultrusion is a process to manufacture fiber-reinforced composite products. You can read the Feb. 3 Notice of Violation here and the Feb. 14 Amendment letter here. Servsteel, Inc. Fined $7.1K for Emissions & Other Violations, $650 of That Penalized Company for Being “Reluctant” to Fix Problems The Allegheny County Health Department on March 4 issued an enforcement order against Servsteel, Inc. for emissions and other violations at its Morgan facility in South Fayette Township, assessing a $7,150 civil penalty. The order and associated fine stem from a 2017 equipment breakdown that prompted odor complaints from the community. ACHD on Jan. 8 determined that new air pollution mitigation equipment the company brought online – a thermal oxidizer – was “successfully controlling emissions.” The fine included: A $1,300 penalty for violating the terms of its installation permit A $3,500 penalty for odor emissions A $1,300 penalty for fugitive emissions A $400 penalty for failure to submit a report regarding the breakdown of emissions-control equipment ACHD also fined the ServSteel a $650 penalty because of the ServSteel’s lack of cooperation, which is permitted by Article XXI. The order noted that the company was “reluctant” to remedy the issue, and said Servsteel was “slow, took some corrective action but not all reasonable action.” “Servsteel initially denied that they were the source of the odors and smoke observed by members of the public and ACHD observers,” according to the order. The company has until April 3 to appeal the order. You can read the entire order on ACHD’s website. ACHD Issues Enforcement Order Against Urban Metro LLC Over Asbestos Violation The Allegheny County Health Department on Feb. 23 issued an enforcement order against Lawrenceville-based Urban Metro, LLC. ACHD said the company failed to have an asbestos survey completed by a licensed contractor as required when it renovated a building located at 4805 Penn Ave. on Jan. 20. The company has until March 14 to appeal the order. You can read the entire order on the ACHD website. #Servesteel #airpollution #Inc #BRB4LLC #Asbestos #asbestosabatement #emissions #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #LibertyPultrusions #ACHD

Editor’s Note: Members from several activist groups including the Pittsburgh Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Thomas Merton Center, Veterans for Peace and Bend the Arc have called on local nonprofits to reject funding from the Colcom Foundation because of its funding of the immigration restriction movement in the United States. GASP has also been contacted by these organizations, as well as local media, so we wanted to go on the record about our involvement with Colcom. “Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) has received grant funding through the Colcom Foundation. Their funding has enabled GASP, as well as a host of worthy, local nonprofits, to do much good work and we are appreciative of their support. In late 2018, however, we became aware that Colcom was also funding groups whose missions focus on immigration issues, and that are associated with controversial Trump Administration immigration policies. Although GASP does not work on immigration issues per se, we take the concerns expressed seriously. In fact, our board took a close look at the issue, examining it from various points of view. While every nonprofit that receives Colcom funding must do what’s right for them, we decided in 2019 the right course of action for us was ending the relationship. Should Colcom continue to fund groups such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform, GASP will not seek funding from them.” The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and CityPaper both covered the issue. #ColcomFoundation

Level Line Building Company, LLC, and BRP4, LLC, on March 12 jointly submitted an appeal of an Enforcement Order issued to the two companies by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Air Quality Program on February 12, 2020. ACHD alleged in the Enforcement Order that it did not have a record of companies submitting a required asbestos abatement survey and related, required documentation prior to demolishing a commercial building in Wilkins Township in April 2019. In their appeal, the companies stated they provided those documents to ACHD on February 19, 2020, in compliance with the Order. The companies attached copies of those documents to their appeal filed with ACHD’s Hearing Officer. You can read the entire appeal filing here. You can read the entire Enforcement Order here. Editor’s Note: ACHD began posting Air Quality Program enforcement actions on its website. #ACHD #airquality #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #Asbestos

Considering Gov. Tom Wolf’s order asking residents of Allegheny County to stay home for everything but essential trips for things such as food and medicine in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, your friends at GASP thought it might be an opportune time to talk about how to improve indoor air quality. For folks who suffer from seasonal allergies or have respiratory ailments, triggers can be a real problem when chillier weather has doors and windows shuttered. And now that everyone is spending a whole lot more time inside, understanding how to eliminate allergy and asthma triggers is even more imperative. The good news: You can easily improve the air quality in your home by taking some simple steps: Clean, Clean, Clean! Things like dust and pet dander are some of the usual suspects when it comes to seasonal allergies, so ramp up the frequency of chores like dusting and vacuuming to keep those triggers at bay – once or twice a week is recommended. It’s also a great idea to wipe down blinds and ceiling fans and launder bedding and drapes, which tend to trap allergens that will have you sneezing and reaching for your inhaler. When cleaning hard surfaces, it’s generally advised that folks use natural cleansers that have less-harsh fumes. However, if you are disinfecting your home during the Covid-19 outbreak, please know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has published a list of approved products that will kill the virus. Change Those Filters With so much going on, it’s easy to forget to change the filters in your furnace and air conditioning systems, which is crucial to improving your indoor air quality. And don’t forget about ductwork: Having it cleaned can make a big difference, too. For those who need some advice on those fronts, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has this handy guide. Consider an Air Purifier Running an air purifier in the most-used areas of your home can help you get rid of those allergens that you really can’t eliminate (dander from your beloved four-legged friend, or cooking fumes, for example). Air purifiers range in price and functionality, but since folks are asked to stay home, we wanted to let you know about a DIY air purifier that requires only a box fan and a standard HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. Note: HEPA filters run about $25-$35 and can be purchased at local hardware stores and on Amazon. Forego Indoor Fireplaces While crackling flames can certainly add ambiance, studies have shown that homes with wood-burning fireplaces have elevated levels of indoor air pollution. With nighttime temperatures expected to dip into the 30s now and then over the next week or so, use your furnace instead of lighting a fire to keep the air you and your family breathe a little cleaner. Peruse Some Helpful Resources for More Tips Our friends at Women For a Healthy Environment have created these helpful infographics on the best ways to clean and disinfect your home. Pittsburgh-based ROCIS (Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces) also has a number of helpful resources. #airpurifiers #airquality #indoorairquality

Dear U.S. Steel Executives, Allegheny County on Thursday recorded its largest increase yet of confirmed COVID-19 cases and health officials expect that number to keep rising. Governor Tom Wolf, as well as regional leaders, ordered non-essential businesses to close and asked people to stay home if at all possible to combat the spread of the illness and “flatten the curve.” While the steel-making industry was exempted from that closure order, it is not exempted from being a good neighbor. At a time when local community members are grappling with a stay-at-home order, financial uncertainty, and other concerns, the last thing people need to fear is how industrial emissions could exacerbate poor air quality locally, as well as their family’s ability to breathe healthy air. Thursday saw the Liberty-Clairton area again among the top five places in the United States with the worst air quality, when the AQI peeked in the 130s in the early morning. It’s a stark reminder of the region’s constant struggle with air pollution, which has, among other things, contributed to higher-than-average asthma rates among children in the Mon Valley. Episodic weather events only make matters worse – the days-long inversion in December and the terrible air pollution it trapped made life unbearable for many in the Liberty-Clairton area in particular. We believe it is imperative that U.S. Steel shares publicly its contingency plan to safely operate its facilities should a large number of its employees contract COVID-19 and must self-quarantine. GASP also believes that U.S. Steel should communicate to the public how it will protect local residents should another inversion take place. Is the company prepared to extend coking times or dial down production during these episodic weather events? We’re calling on you to address these issues publicly. In doing so, U.S. Steel would not only assuage the very real fears people have in the Mon Valley and beyond, it also would show that the company does put people over profits. Sincerely, Rachel Filippini Executive Director GASP #airpollution #USSteel #RachelFilippini #COVID19 #airquality