The Jefferson Regional Foundation awarded first time grants from the Mon Valley Clean Air Fund to nonprofit organizations committed to improving community public health and air quality in the Mon Valley. Eleven nonprofit organizations received a total of $336,00 from a fund created after a U.S. Steel Coke Works fire in 2018. They are: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Greater Valley Community Services Inc., Heritage Community Initiatives, LaRosa Youth Development Foundation, Mon/Yough Trail Council, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, PA CleanWays of Allegheny County Inc, This Generation Connect, Tube City Renaissance, Valley Clean Air Now, and Watersheds of South Pittsburgh. In 2024, the Allegheny County Health Department enlisted Jefferson Regional Foundation to distribute $2.25 million in settlement funds from U.S. Steel because of the fire. This arrangement will span over a period of five years, 2024-2029, with $450,000 distributed each year. The settlement resulted from litigation brought by PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, and the Allegheny County Health Department. Jefferson Regional Foundation was not part of the litigation. In October 2024, the foundation hosted three listening sessions within the impacted communities. “The organizations and programs funded were informed by feedback received from Mon Valley residents. It was important that we honor their requests,” said Dr. Trisha Gadson, CEO, Jefferson Regional Foundation. The grants voted on by its board of directors on March 20 reflect those priorities identified by the impacted community residents and stakeholders.

This story was updated on 9:45 a.m. March 26 to include more details about the meeting. GASP on Tuesday joined residents and fellow environmental advocates at the Allegheny County Council meeting to demand action on a health department proposal to fully fund the Air Quality Program by increasing   certain fees imposed on permitted facilities.   Campbell was among myriad speakers to address council on the issue.   In the waning moments of the meeting - right as Council President Pat Catena was ready to call for adjournment - Councilman Jack Betkowski spoke up, asking if it was possible to amend the agenda to add the fee schedule changes so they could be put up for a vote.   Councilwoman Bethany Hallam seconded the motion.   Catena noted that adding the agenda item and taking action on it would be a Sunshine Law violation (which is likely to be true).   Despite Councilmen Dan Grzybek and DeWitt Walton asking follow-up procedural questions to the solicitor about whether - and how - council could address the fee schedule changes Tuesday, the discussion was quashed.   Catena ultimately said he was not willing to entertain the matter and adjourned the meeting.   GASP wants to thank Betkwoski, Hallam, Grzybek and Walton for speaking up and advocating for action on the fee schedule changes. Here's what our Executive Director Patrick Campbell said when he addressed the board: Good afternoon. I’m Patrick Campbell, executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), a non-profit working to improve our regional air quality since 1969. Thank you for the opportunity to address you this evening.   I am here - again - regarding council’s failure to even discuss the Allegheny County Health Department’s plan to fully fund its Air Quality Program through increasing certain fees imposed on operators.   It should have been a simple, dare we even say boring vote. Because this is not a matter of financial theory. It’s simple: Right now, air quality staff members - inspectors, engineers and attorneys - complete tasks  like ambient air quality models, risk assessments and requests for determinations for permitted Title V facilities.   The Clean Air Act requires that ACHD have adequate funding and personnel to sufficiently administer those services and more by charging fees sufficient to cover the cost of administering the program.   The new fee schedule is not punitive. It’s administrative. The Air Pollution Advisory Committee knew it, so did the Board of Health, environmental nonprofits, local leaders and most importantly the constituents you are sitting here tonight to purportedly represent. That’s why the proposal swiftly made its way through the proper process – until it got to you. The matter now sits in committee, we assume to die a slow death. Meanwhile, your inaction has robbed front-line communities of nearly half a million dollars from the Clean Air Fund that could have funded community projects. Projects that help improve the health and well-being of your constituents will instead be used to help cover administrative costs. You know - those air models, risk assessments, and requests for determinations that we mentioned earlier. Make no mistake: Your inaction has already had direct consequences. That’s why we are here to demand that you stop hiding behind procedure and straw votes and put the proposal on the next agenda for discussion. We are here to ensure that you understand the gravity of your dereliction. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. Thank you.

Good news: Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) is now accepting applications for the second round of grants from the Mon Valley Public Health Fund—a fund established through the  U.S. Steel Settlement  related to the 2018 Christmas Eve fire at the U.S. Clairton Coke Works. This next phase of funding follows two recent public engagement sessions where community members weighed in on the impact of previously funded projects and helped shape the priorities for future investments. These sessions also offered insights into the updated application process and what to expect in future rounds. “As I said when U.S. Steel agreed to settle related to the 2018 Christmas Eve fire, this investment is a win for the people of Allegheny County and the Mon Valley. I’m happy that ACED is working with the community to put this money into projects that deliver on clean air and economic development goals,” County Executive Sara Innamorato said in a press release Monday. “Our commitment to this region is rooted in listening to those who live and work here,” said ACED Director Lauren Connelly. “The steps we’ve taken—from the building awareness to awarding the funds—has been informed by community voices. These grants are more than investments in public health; they’re investments in the people and places that make the Mon Valley what it is.” Funding must be directed toward initiatives that support public health with an emphasis on air quality improvement and mitigation efforts within the Mon Valley communities surrounding U.S. Steel’s Clairton, Edgar Thomson, and Irvin facilities. Projects must demonstrate a clear and measurable impact on local well-being. The fund cannot be used for lobbying or advocacy, and applicants with any past legal action against U.S. Steel, or those utilizing experts who have testified against the company, are not eligible to apply. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in and serving Mon Valley communities including: Braddock, Clairton, Glassport, East McKeesport, Elizabeth Borough, Elizabeth Township, Forward, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, Dravosburg, McKeesport, Port Vue, Liberty, Lincoln, West Mifflin, Braddock, North Braddock, East Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Versailles and North Versailles. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. May 23. Organizations can submit applications through the County’s online portal at  Allegheny County Economic Development's Application Portal .  Please select the “Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Fund” when applying. You can read about the first round of funding awards here.

The Allegheny County Board of Health on Wednesday approved a transfer of $490,605 from the Clean Air Fund  to go toward the Air Quality Program’s operating budget - one that ended 2024 with a nearly $550,000 shortfall. Here’s the slide presented at the meeting: Officials were clear: They didn’t want to ask for the 5 percent of the fund that county air quality rules say they are authorized to take each year. But they needed to.  Why?  Because the current permit fees imposed on industry are not sufficient to cover the costs of administering the program. ( More on that here . ) And, more importantly, because Allegheny County Council has failed to vote on an updated fee schedule that would fully fund the Air Quality Program. (And more on that here .) So, what now?  Now we go en masse to the next Allegheny County Council meeting and let them know that thanks in part to their inaction, Clean Air Fund dollars that could have gone to community environmental projects instead will be used to help pay for the program. As a reminder, the vote on these updated permit fees (slated months ago) should have been a true no-brainer. The proposal was robustly supported by the Air Pollution Advisory Committee, the Allegheny County Board of Health and by scores of public commenters (GASP included). It was even affirmatively recommended by Allegheny County Council’s own Health and Human Services Committee, where it was inexplicably kicked back for further consideration. Meanwhile, amazingly we, the general public - still have no real idea what the opposition is. When we ask, we get fed lines like, “Welp, we just don’t have enough information.” Or, “Welp, that one fee looks kinda high to me.” And to that, friends, we call bullshit.  This issue has been in the spotlight for MONTHS. Council has heard from countless air quality groups, residents, public officials, and even the experts they count on to advise them on these technical matters. All have basically said, “Greenlight this bad boy already.” At this point, we can only assume that it’s either arrogance or ignorance (or a dangerous mix of the two) leading a contingent of council members to be potential “no” votes.  Listen, we know this isn’t the first time (or even the second time!) that we’ve asked yinz to come raise a little hell over these permit fees - but will you join us at the next Allegheny County Council meeting?  Full council is slated to meet this upcoming Tuesday, March 25 and we’re trying to pack the room and send the message: They need to approve the fee schedule changes to fully fund our air quality program ASAP. If you want to join us at the meeting and address council, click here to register to comment. If you’d like to send council a written message letting them know you support the fee schedule changes and encourage them to vote YES on the proposal,  click here. Editor’s Note: Have questions, need more info, or help crafting comments? We’re here to help! Hit up our communications manager Amanda Gillooly at amanda@gasp-pgh.org .

The air quality watch dogs here at GASP want to express our sincere gratitude to Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. lulia Vann for swiftly fulfilling her promise to increase accessibility to Board of Health meetings. During the Wednesday board meeting, Dr. Vann announced two significant changes: Virtual Public Comment:  She told the board that moving forward, residents will be able to participate in meetings and present public comments virtually. When you click on the online form to address the Board of Health now, you may choose whether you want to do so in person or via Zoom. This is a crucial step toward ensuring all voices are heard, regardless of location or personal circumstances.  Exploring New Meeting Locations and Times:  Recognizing the challenges of attending meetings downtown during weekdays, Dr. Vann announced that ACHD is actively exploring alternative locations and meeting times for 2025. This proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to making participation more convenient and inclusive for all residents. These changes are exactly the type of common-sense actions GASP has been advocating for years. Increased accessibility and transparency are essential for a truly effective and accountable public health department.  “We applaud Dr. Vann's leadership and her continued commitment to engaging with the community,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We truly look forward to continued collaboration with ACHD to improve public health outcomes for Allegheny County and ensure that all residents have a seat at the decision-making table.”

Last month we   blogged  about how the waiver that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA” issued to allow California to impose its own emission standards on cars and light-duty trucks had been referred to Congress for (presumably) disapproval under the Congressional Review Act.   Congress’s disapproval of the waiver would have precluded California from imposing standards different than EPA’s own nationwide standards and also precluded a waiver from being issued for any substantially similar California standards in the future. We say “would have” because it appears that Congress failed to take a vote on the waiver before the March 7 deadline prescribed by the Congressional Review Act.  That means that it appears that the California standards (which Pennsylvania has adopted in part) will stand, if only for the time being – EPA just   announced  that it intends to revisit, and presumably gut, its own emission standards for model year 2027 cars and light-duty trucks.   We’ll continue to follow this as it develops and keep you posted.

The EPA press releases were issued like thunderclaps Wednesday afternoon - boom, boom, boom: EPA Announces Action to Implement POTUS’s Termination of Biden-Harris Electric Vehicle Mandate Trump EPA Announces Reconsideration of Burdensome Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Administrator Zeldin Takes Action to Decrease Risk of Future Catastrophic Wildfires (“Exceptional Events”) EPA Announces Action to Address Costly Obama, Biden “Climate” Measurements (Social Cost of Carbon) Trump EPA to Reconsider Biden-Harris MATS Regulation That Targeted Coal-Fired Power Plants to be Shut Down Trump EPA Announces Reconsideration of Air Rules Regulating American Energy, Manufacturing, Chemical Sectors (NESHAPs) Administrator Zeldin Takes Action to Prioritize Cooperative Federalism, Improve Air Quality Faster Administrator Zeldin Directs Enforcement Resources to Align with Executive Orders and EPA’s Core Mission EPA Terminates Biden’s Environmental Justice, DEI Arms of Agency Trump EPA Announces Path Forward on National Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (PM2.5) to Aid Manufacturing, Small Businesses EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History Trump EPA Announces Plan to Work with States on SIPs to Improve Air Quality and Reconsider “Good Neighbor Plan” Yes, yinz can file this all under "I" for insane. The flurry of “news” gave a certain…vibe. And as your friendly neighborhood air quality watch dogs since 1969, we want to take a skinny minute to implore you to take a deep breath (for real, we’re not being flippant), lower your shoulders, and exhale. We know it’s A LOT. But here’s the thing: All that “news” was big on shock value but short on details. Are we concerned? Absolutely. But do we think the chaos is intentional? You betcha. Here’s how PublicSource put it: The EPA didn't provide details about what it wants to do with the regulations — whether it will try to weaken them or eliminate them entirely. In most cases, the agency said it is reconsidering rules that apply to things like climate pollution from vehicles and power plants, wastewater from coal plants and air pollution from the energy and manufacturing sectors. The EPA is referring to yesterday’s action as “the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history” adding that “today the green new scam ends, as the EPA does its part to usher in a golden age of American success.” But here’s the thing: In the United States we have this thing called “procedure.” And the flurry of EPA releases didn’t address any of that. Here’s how the New York Times put it: The announcements do not carry the force of law. In almost every case, the E.P.A. would have to undergo a lengthy process of public comment and develop environmental and economic justifications for the change What’s the takeaway here? Please don’t panic. That’s exactly what the new administration wants us to do - to be desperate, to be afraid. It wants us to flail and froth at the mouth.  What they aren’t counting on is an educated public armed with the knowledge and resources they need to fight back against their onslaught of propaganda and scare tactics.  Listen, we’re not channeling our inner Pollyanna here. We just wanted to remind you that we still live in a country with checks and balances, despite what the keyboard bullies behind those politically charged press releases want you to believe. We also wanted to gently remind folks that GASP has been the air quality nonprofit of record in our region since 1969 for a reason: We not only understand the big picture, we specialize in the nuance that environmental foes try to exploit. Do we have a panic button? Absolutely. Is it time to push it? Not yet.  Please know that GASP is following these national issues closely, and will report back to you on how they will - or may - play out on the local level. That’s all for now. Take care and keep your chin up. In Solidarity, The Gang at GASP

Editor’s Note: GASP has received questions from members who received letters in the mail regarding this class action settlement. If you have questions about your rights under the settlement, we recommend that you get in touch with those lawyers, who represent the class in question.  U.S. Steel is poised to pay $6.1 million to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding dust and other noxious emissions from its Edgar Thomson facility in North Braddock. The complaint filed in 2022 stated: “(U.S. Steel) owes and continues to owe a duty to the public to prevent and abate the interference with and the invasion of, the free use and enjoyment of public air and spaces by emitting fugitive dust and noxious odors into the ambient air.” According to the settlement agreement, here’s how that money will be spent: $1.5 million  will be paid out to those who are opt-ins, which includes a $5,000 payment to lead plaintiff Alyssa Finley.  $2.25 million  will be used to build two wheel wash stations to clean vehicles exiting the facility $1.6 million will be used to pave the onsite street informally known as Burma Road $740,000  will be used to purchase to street sweepers for use at - and in the vicinity of - the Edgar Thomson facility Here’s what else you need to know about the settlement: Notice has been sent to residents eligible to opt-in or out of the settlement and an informational  website has been published. Opt-ins and objections must be postmarked by March 17. Claim forms must be postmarked by March 31 to be eligible to compensation through the settlement Class members are defined as those who owned, occupied, or leased residential property within a 1-mile radius of the Edgar Thomson facility.  A final settlement fairness hearing is slated for 9:30 a.m. April 15.  Editor’s Note: The upgrades required by this agreement are in addition to the emissions mitigation measures mandated by a settlement reached between U.S. Steel and federal and local regulators. You can read more about all that here.

Back in May 2024, we blogged about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalization of a proposed rule that would have imposed a fee on waste methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.  We blogged about that rule again in November, when EPA finally approved the fee itself. According to the Associated Press, EPA predicted that the rule would have reduced the industry’s emissions of methane by 1.2 million metric tons by 2035 .   We say “would have” because the rule is no more.    On Feb. 27, both houses of Congress voted to disapprove  the regulation under the Congressional Review Act (more on that in a different context here ).    Under the Congressional Review Act, not only is the old rule imposing a waste methane emission fee invalidated, but EPA is prohibited from adopting a new, substantially similar rule in the future.    “What this means for compliance with the requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act that fee be imposed on the oil and gas industry’s waste methane emissions going forward is, at least for now, unclear,” GASP senior attorney John Baillie said.   We’ll keep you posted should the rule resurface in the future.

Editor's Note: GASP on Feb. 27 submitted formal comments on the new RACT requirements for the Butler Works. You can read them here. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this month published a notice of proposed revisions to the Title V Operating Permit for Cleveland Cliffs Steel Corporation’s Butler Works.   These proposed permit revisions would implement Reasonably Available Control Technology requirements (or RACT for short). We decided to take a look at the proposed revisions and report on them.  But First Some Background… The RACT requirement is imposed by the Clean Air Act and instructs each state to determine whether facilities that are major sources  of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within its borders are using all reasonably available control technology to limit emissions of NOx and VOCs.   A facility is a major source of NOx if it has the potential to emit 100 tons or more per year of NOx and is a major source of VOCs if it has the potential to emit 50 tons or more per year of VOCs.  If such facilities are not implementing RACT, the states must require them to do so, even if they were properly permitted when they began operating and have continued to operate within all applicable limits. Need to Know Info About RACT New RACT determinations are required every time the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revises a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone or NOx (fun fact: NOx and VOCs are the two principal precursors to the formation of ground-level ozone pollution).   The first round of RACT determinations followed the imposition of the RACT requirement by the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act and were implemented in the late 1990s and early 2000s.   The second round of RACT determinations (RACT II), which were completed just last year, followed the revision of the NAAQS for ozone in 2008 (yes, there really was a 14-year lag!).    The recently-proposed revisions to the Butler Works’ operating permit follow the latest revision of the ozone standard, which occurred in 2015, and are referred to as RACT III determinations. Generally, the Clean Air Act requires RACT determinations only for major sources in areas that do not attain the NAAQS for ozone. The Butler Works is a “major source” of both NOx and VOCs, but Butler County attains the NAAQS for ozone.   So why is the plant subject to the RACT requirement?   Because the Clean Air Act requires that all areas of Pennsylvania be treated as nonattainment for ozone, regardless of their actual attainment status. As a result, all “major sources” of NOx and VOCs in Pennsylvania, including the Butler Works, are required to comply with RACT III emission limits. How RACT Determinations Work RACT determinations are made in either of two ways: Each individual source of NOx and VOC pollution within a facility that is a major source of NOx and/or VOCs. For some source categories, RACT is defined by regulation; a source in the category must comply with the regulation. The determinations for such sources are known as presumptive RACT determinations.  For other sources, RACT is determined on a case-by-case basis, and such determinations are referred to as alternative or - no surprise here - “case-by-case” RACT determinations.   For case-by-case determinations, the goal is to make sure the source is using control methods that are both technologically feasible and cost effective, with cost effectiveness being evaluated on a “dollars per ton of pollutant eliminated” basis.   A RACT III control measure is deemed to be cost effective at $7,500/ton of NOx emissions reduced or $12,000/ton of VOC emissions reduced. What You Need to Know About Butler Works’ RACT The Butler Works contains a mix of many sources, some of which are subject to presumptive RACT III requirements and some of which needed case-by-case RACT III determinations.   The presumptive RACT III requirements did not impose new emissions limits on any sources within the Butler Works; rather, such sources will generally be subject to annual tune-up, maintenance, and testing requirements to ensure that they are burning fuel efficiently.  There is nothing unusual about that. But Here’s the Weird Thing About It Is… In contrast, the RACT III determinations that DEP made for several sources within the Butler Works that were made on a case-by-case basis are unusual, because those determinations will allow for increases in the sources’ emissions limits for NOx:  SOURCE RACT II NOx LIMITS (Tons per Year) RACT III NOx LIMITS (Tons per Year) INCREASE FROM RACT II to RACT III (Tons per Year) Slab Heating Furnace 6 (Source 112) 36.60 41.08 4.48 Slab Heating Furnace 8 (Source 137) 62.10 62.52 0.42 Anneal Furnace 4 (Source 156) 22.96 24.50 1.54 Anneal Furnace 7 (Source 157) 17.20 20.74 3.54 Anneal Furnace 12 (Source 158) 63.65 81.87 18.22   Why GASP Has Questions & Next Steps “DEP’s Review Memo for its RACT III determinations does not explain how authorized NOx emissions for these sources could increase – if the lower emission limits were the result of controls that were ‘reasonably available’ just a few years ago, why aren’t those controls available now,”  asked GASP Senior Attorney John Baillie. “We are left to wonder.” DEP is accepting written comments on the RACT III determinations for the Butler Works through Feb. 28. Written comments may be mailed to:  Lori McNabb, Regional Air Quality Program Manager, DEP’s Northwest Region’s, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335. Editor’s Note: GASP continues to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted.