Erie Coke Corp. and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will appear before Environmental Hearing Board Judge Steven C. Beckman Wednesday afternoon to begin arguments addressing the company’s ability to continue operations. DEP’s July 1 denial of Erie Coke’s air quality permit application had the effect of invalidating the company’s existing air quality permit. Erie Coke appealed that action, but to continue operations at the facility pending the outcome of that appeal the company on July 3 filed an Application for Temporary Supersedeas and Petition for Supersedeas with the state’s Environmental Hearing Board. In the Petition, Erie Coke argued that “[u]nless supersedeas is granted, the Denial will permanently destroy Erie Coke’s primary asset – its two batteries of coke ovens – thereby forcing Erie Coke out of business, causing the permanent loss of 137 living-wage jobs, and the Erie economy’s loss of approximately $5 million in annual payroll.” Beckman granted temporary supersedeas on July 5, but that determination is not final. Erie Coke and the DEP still must present their respective cases as to the merits of allowing the facility to stay open for the duration of Erie Coke’s appeal proceedings. Attorneys for DEP responded to Erie Coke’s Petition in a July 6 brief, which provided its argument for why the EHB should prevent Erie Coke from continuing to operate. The DEP argued, “Erie Coke’s petition for supersedeas demonstrates that pollution will result or be threatened during the period when any supersedeas is in effect because Erie Coke’s operation of the coke oven and the boilers at the facility emit hazardous air pollutants, such as benzene and air pollutants such as Sulfur oxides (SO2) and Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOCs”).” Also before the Environmental Hearing Board is a motion for admission pro hac vice filed by Erie Coke. If granted, the motion would allow another attorney, in this case, C. Max Zygmon, to be admitted to practice in the case despite not being licensed in this jurisdiction—which is a common legal maneuver. In an order filed today, EHB Judge Stephen C. Beckman advised both parties to submit motions on these matters by 1 pm. Tuesday. Editor’s Note: Local news media continues to cover the story. Check out the latest media coverage below. “Erie Coke Plant Allowed to Continue Operations,” KDKA.com “Erie Coke Plant to Keep Operating Pending Ruling on Appeal,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “State Appeals Board Grants Erie Coke Short Reprieve,” GoErie.com For those who would like to take a look at the source documents: Appeal and Supersedeas docket Application for Temporary Supersedeas Petition for Supersedeas #CMaxZygmon #TitleVoperatingpermit #ErieCokeCorp #DEP #superseseas #EnvironmentalHearingBoard #airquality

The Allegheny County Health Department announced in an Allegheny Alert Friday afternoon that it will hold a public hearing regarding its settlement agreement with U.S. Steel. The hearing has been slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at the Clairton Municipal Building. According to the announcement, the hearing will operate in the same standard format that the Air Quality Programs holds for permits, rules, and plans. This means that members of the public who wish to speak must sign up to do so 24 hours in advance of the hearing. Planning to speak? You can sign up by calling 412-578-8103 or by emailing aqcomments@alleghenycounty.us. Please note that each commenter will be limited to three minutes. Want to make a comment but are unable to make the meeting? No problem. ACHD noted that members of the public who cannot attend are encouraged to submit a written comment. Submitting a public comment to ACHD is quick and easy – here’s how: http://bit.ly/2LIRPnW Editor’s Note: Need to brush up on the details of the settlement agreement to prep your public comment? Here’s what you need to know. #USSteel #settlementagreement #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality

Erie coke from HECA Erie Coke Corp. on Tuesday filed an appeal of the decision by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to deny its application for a renewed Title V operating permit – saying the consequences “cannot be overstated.” In court paperwork filed with the Environmental Hearing Board, Erie Coke’s legal counsel, a Pittsburgh attorney from Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter, Paul K. Stockman, wrote that denying the application would “effectively cause permanent and irrevocable closure” to the coke facility. The appeal also alleged the DEP “willfully ignor(ed) substantial steps toward improving compliance and its cooperative approach to resolving matters.” The court filing also claims that Erie Coke has worked “steadfastly” to “improve and sustain” its compliance record and that regulators should understand that it’s a “time-consuming task.” Stockman further stated that regulators should understand that “it will take months for the improvements Erie Coke has commenced to bear fruit locally.” The court filing also reiterated the company’s opposition to DEP placing it on the compliance docket, an action that would greatly restrict Erie Coke Corp.’s ability to obtain any new or expanded state permit. The company formally appealed its placement on the compliance docket last month. The DEP announced in a press release on Monday that it was denying the company’s application for a renewed Title V permit, and that it had filed an injunction to have the plant shut down because of what it described as “numerous repetitive environmental violations.” Specifically, the denial letter included a six-page list of violations at the facility dating back to 2015. In a pre-tial hearing order also filed Tuesday, Environmental Hearing Board Chief Judge and Chairman Thomas W. Renwand assigned the matter to Judge Steven C. Beckman. Among other things, the order: Sets a 20-day timeframe for Erie Coke Corp. to amend its appeal Sets a deadline of Dec. 30 for the completion of discovery Sets a deadline of Aug. 21, 2019 for Erie Coke Corp. and DEP to certify that they have conferred about a settlement Sets a Jan. 28, 2020 deadline for both parties to file dispositive motions Offers an alternate schedule, where Erie Coke Corp. and DEP may submit a Joint Proposed Case Order. Such an order would need to be filed within 60 days of the order By way of background: In June alone, the DEP sent the company six notice of violation letters addressing emissions and other issues at its East Avenue facility that stretch back through October of 2018. “GASP isn’t shocked by Tuesday’s appeal, just as Erie Coke Corp. should not be shocked by DEP’s actions,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “We stand behind the DEP and all the residents who have stood up against a corporation that has demonstrated for far too long that it is complacent about compliance.” The appeal can be viewed online here. A pre-trial hearing order also filed July 2 can be viewed online here. Editor’s Note: Here’s some associated media coverage of today’s appeal: “Erie Coke Appeals DEP’s Decision to Deny Operating Permit,” Erie News Now “Erie Coke: Plant Closure Would Cause ‘Irreperable Damage,’” GoErie.com GASP has been working with citizens group Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA). You can read more about our work with them here. #HoldErieCokeAccountable #HECA #ErieCokeWorks #emissions #airquality

The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) was proud to join City Councilman Corey O’Connor, City Councilwoman Erika Strassberger and fellow environmental organizations at a press conference Monday announcing a Will of Council that supports the Allegheny Health Department’s (ACHD) efforts to prevent air pollution, specifically at U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson Plan and the Clairton Coke Works. In a press release, O’Connor’s office said the City of Pittsburgh does not have the regulatory authority to force polluters into compliance, so council is “unequivocally voicing its support and placing its trust in the ACHD, the government entity charged with the protection, promotion and preservation of the health and well-being of all residents of Allegheny County.” “The City of Pittsburgh supports the leadership of PennEnvironment, GASP, and the Allegheny Health Department,” said Councilman O’Connor. “We must do all we can to stand up to any entity that jeopardizes the health and well-being of our residents.” “It’s exciting to see Councilman O’Connor and Pittsburgh City Council speaking out on this issue, publicly reinforcing what we know to be true — all Pittsburghers have a right to clean air,” said Ashleigh Deemer, Western Pennsylvania Director for PennEnvironment. “For far too long, U.S. Steel has shirked their responsibility to abide by the Clean Air Act, pouring pollutants linked to asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular disease into our communities. It’s time to prioritize health and a cleaner future for our region.” “Councilman O’Connor’s air quality resolution expresses what so many Pittsburghers have long been demanding,” Rachel Filippini, executive director of GASP said. “We are so appreciative of this city council resolution, this week’s listening session on air quality hosted by Councilwoman Stassburger, and the recent post-agenda discussing the same. This kind of political leadership is crucial, especially given the David vs. Goliath-like local fight for clean air, one that all too often pits residents against a multi-billion dollar company that has repeatedly failed to prove they are capable of – or willing to be – a good neighbor.” The Will of Council was introduced and approved at Monday’s council meeting. #airpollution #ErikaStrassberger #USSteel #WillofCouncil #RachelFilippini #CoreyOConnor #airquality

“For more than a decade, DEP has received persistent complaints from the community and has continuously cited Erie Coke for various environmental violations. DEP has given Erie Coke many opportunities to address violations and comply with state and federal laws. Our staff have participated in stakeholder meetings and have worked with the community, elected officials and the company to address issues and concerns,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Unfortunately, the frequency and severity of Erie Coke’s violations have only increased during our review of its permit renewal and the operator has offered no tangible causes for its non-compliance nor viable plans to assure future compliance. “After careful consideration of Erie Coke’s history of environmental violations and the company’s lack of intention or ability to comply with state and federal laws, DEP has made the rare decision to not only deny the company’s application to renew its operating permit, but also seek a court injunction to shut down the facility.” Erie Coke has a significant and lengthy history of non-compliance with environmental regulations and has received numerous past enforcement actions, including notices of violations, shut down orders, consent decrees, civil penalty assessments, and unilateral enforcement orders by both DEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “DEP does not take this action lightly. DEP understands and appreciates the importance of industrial facilities to local communities. DEP proactively works with operators to achieve and maintain compliance and industrial sites across Pennsylvania demonstrate that economic success and environmental compliance are not mutually exclusive ideas,” McDonnell said. “Ultimately, DEP’s responsibility is to ensure that industrial facilities comply with environmental laws and Erie Coke has a fundamental responsibility by law to comply with those laws to maintain facility operations. Unfortunately, Erie Coke has failed to do so.” The Group Against Smog and Pollution, which this year partnered with the local advocacy group Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA), said it’s “regrettable” that the situation has gotten to this point. “We take no joy in the thought of employees losing their jobs but Erie Coke owners and managers have been knowingly exposing local residents to hazardous emissions for far too long. If Erie Coke—or any business—cannot operate lawfully then they should not be allowed to operate. DEP gave Erie Coke many opportunities over the years to clean up its act, which Erie Coke repeatedly declined.  Erie Coke’s lack of interest in compliance with the law left DEP with no other option; we support DEP taking this action to protect the health of Erie residents.” HECA released the following statement Monday: “Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA) supports the PA DEP’s decision to end ongoing pollution from Erie Coke, and commends our DEP for the hard work that led to this action. This was the necessary and proper proceeding given the unwillingness of Erie Coke to come into basic compliance. It is disappointing that Erie Coke has so little regard for its employees’ stability, our environment, and the vibrant economic future of Erie. Recent DEP records show that Erie Coke continues to fail to address egregious pollution violations, attempted to change the parameters of their federal Title V Operating permit to less stringent rules, and set a timetable for compliance well into the year 2020. Erie needs clean air now. HECA bears in mind that this situation mirrors the one in 2010, when Erie Coke’s failure to comply likewise forced the DEP to deny the company’s operating permit and issue a shutdown order. That process resulted in a $6 million fine, paid into the PA General Fund by Erie Coke, which brought nine more years of disregard for Erie. Unfortunately, those monies did not fund needed health impact assessments as was the case with even larger fines paid by the same owner’s now shuttered sister plant in Tonawanda, NY. Nevertheless, this is a different moment. The city of Erie has decided to seize the New Economy that values the quality of life necessary to attract and retain talent, where social equity is the defining issue of economic progress. We applaud Mayor Schember, County Executive Dahlkemper, our City and County Councils, and members of our local news media who have helped the Erie community recognize that any corporation flagrantly and knowingly putting our city’s people and future at risk will not be tolerated. HECA hopes our DEP’s action is a significant step toward meeting those goals in alignment with DEP’s declaration that Erie Coke’s ongoing assault on Erie is an environmental justice offense, given the poor and minority communities downwind. But pollution does not discriminate. HECA, despite its limited purview, knows of upwards of 250 complaints to the DEP by citizens throughout the city of Erie in the last year alone regarding Erie Coke’s visible and offensive emissions. Accordingly, HECA has a message for the users of Erie Coke’s product: You are your supply chain. As such, your purchase of this coke directly finances Erie’s plight at the hands of this law-breaking company. HECA simply wants our PA DEP and federal EPA to do everything in their power to ensure that Erie Coke complies with the law so we the people of Erie are protected. Furthermore, the economic burden of remediating the site should rest squarely on Erie Coke regardless of whether they stay in operation or are closed down.” The plant was nearly shut down in 2010 by DEP before a court-ordered settlement was reached. Under a 2010 consent decree with DEP, Erie Coke rebuilt Battery A and made certain repairs to Battery B, but Battery B has been in continuous operation without being rebuilt. Erie coke also paid a fine of $4 million. By way of background, Erie Coke has had violations since the 2010 consent decree terminated. DEP started to identify an increasing number of air quality violations at the facility starting in June 2017. On Feb. 4, 2019, DEP issued an order to Erie Coke requiring Erie Coke to complete an investigation into the cause of recent increases in air quality violations associated with the operation of the pushing emission control system and increased opacity of emissions from the coke oven battery stack. In addition, the order required Erie Coke to submit a plan for the installation of a back-up hydrogen sulfide removal system to prevent the combustion of coke oven gas, which contains excessive quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Nearly two months later, on March 31, 2019 Erie Coke experienced a large release from a wastewater tank on the property. DEP estimates that over 30,000 gallons of wastewater were released from the tank that provides pretreatment of wastewater prior to its conveyance to the City of Erie sewage treatment plant. The wastewater was suspected to contain contaminants from the coking process including benzene, cyanide, naphthalene, ammonia and several other constituents. Erie Coke recovered contaminated water and material from the spill and repaired the wastewater tank but DEP did not allow Erie Coke to continue using the tank. On May 6, DEP placed Erie Coke on the air quality compliance docket for nearly 80 unresolved air quality violations over the past two years. The Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act and DEP regulations prevented DEP from renewing Erie Coke’s federal Title V operating permit if the violations were not resolved and until DEP determined that Erie Coke had the intention and ability to comply with the Air Pollution Control Act and the federal Clean Air Act. On June 4, DEP sent a notice of violation with more than a dozen violations based on a May 15 inspection. Because Erie Coke has failed to adequately demonstrate an ability or its intent to comply, DEP issued today’s denial of Erie Coke’s application to renew its Title V Operating Permit. Erie Coke owns and operates the foundry coke production facility, located at the foot of East Avenue between Presque Isle Bay and the Bayfront Highway in the City of Erie. The facility includes 58 coke ovens, a coke oven battery underfiring system, two boilers, a byproduct tar recovery system, and a wastewater treatment system. Thirty-five of the 58 coke ovens in the coke oven battery were put into operation at the facility in 1942 (“Battery B”). Twenty-three of the 58 coke ovens in the coke oven battery were put into operation at the Facility in 1952 (“Battery A”). Editor’s Note: DEP’s denial letter to Erie Coke can be viewed here.  DEP’s notice to defend can be viewed here. Want to take a deep dive into the issue? Check out the associated media coverage: “Pa. Moves to Shut Down Erie Coke Plant, Citing Violations,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Erie Coke Denied Operating Permit; DEP Files for Injunction to Close Plant,” Erie News Now “Pennsylvania DEP Cites Too Many Violations for Denying Erie Coke’s Operation Permit,” Erie News Now “Pa. Regulators Want to Shut Down ‘Nuisance’ Erie Coke Plant,” Law360 “Neighbors React as State Regulators Move to Close Erie Plant,” YourErie.com “State Moves to Shut Down Coke Plant, Citing Violations,” WFMJ.com “Erie Community Weighs in on Possible Erie Coke Shutdown,” Erie News Now “Coke Plant: State Shutdown Move ‘Quite a Shock,'” Associated Press #ErieCoke #HoldErieCokeAccountable #airpollution #TitleV #HECA #DEP #airquality

The Group Against Smog and Pollution and Clean Air Council asked a Court of Common Pleas judge this week to dismiss a bid by Allegheny County that would put the two environmental groups on the hook for increased construction costs associated with delays the government agency said are due to a lawsuit the nonprofits filed seeking to stop it from using Clean Air Funds to pay for new digs for its Air Quality Program. In court paperwork filed Monday, GASP and Clean Air Council responded to a May 13 Allegheny County filing and asked that one provision be dismissed with prejudice: “Defendant is entitled to recover against plaintiffs any damages that it has suffered from the filing…which includes, but not limited to, the increased construction cost of renovation of building 1.” These latest court filings stem from a lawsuit filed against Allegheny County by the two groups, which seek a declaratory judgment to stop the agency from using more than $9 million from the Clean Air Fund and Allegheny County Air Quality Fund for office renovations. They argue that money should be earmarked for air pollution regulation and air quality improvement projects only. “The department does not allege any action by Council and GASP that would trigger a legal obligation by them to pay for any of those alleged costs. The department cannot sue for damages just because it has been sued,” the groups argued in their legal filing. “The only relevant facts that defendant has alleged are that the Council and GASP have commenced litigation against it and that there may be an increase in construction costs resulting from litigation-related damages.” The groups said that Allegheny County failed to cite “legal authority in support of its claim that it is entitled to recover such costs.” Attorneys for Clean Air Council and GASP argued that not only are the environmental groups immune from civil liability under both federal and state statute, but further protected under the First Amendment. Common Pleas Judge Christine Ward on March 29 overruled preliminary objections filed by Allegheny County. More information on that court action can be found here. For more information about the lawsuit, click here. #AlleghenyCountyAirQualityFund #CleanAirCouncil #CleanAirFund

Editor’s Note: The below is from a press release issued by Allegheny County on Friday morning. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that it has reached a draft settlement agreement with U.S. Steel to address the 2018 order and all subsequent penalty appeals for violations from 2018-19. The agreement requires the company meet the improvement criteria of the 2018 enforcement order, but also provides for additional concessions. “This settlement ensures that not only are the requirements of the 2018 order satisfied, but there will be major improvements to the battery operation,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, ACHD director. “While we did not get everything we wanted, this settlement represents significant progress and includes vitally important components related to transparency and community benefit. We take our responsibilities to improve air quality very seriously, and this draft agreement is another step in the ongoing efforts to ensure clean air for all.” The terms of the draft settlement agreement include the following: Repairs to the batteries and battery operations to help reduce fugitive and stack emission Installation of air curtains for Battery B (to improve the capture of fugitive emissions) Battery 15 wall repair to repair leaks Upgraded bag houses for batteries 13, 14, and 15 and 19 and 20 (reduces the emission of particulate matter) Replacement of Battery 15 stack (making it taller for better dispersion) Rebuild of end flues for batteries 1, 2, and 3 Commitments to improve transparency Annual audit by a third-party coke oven and air pollution control performance Expand the deployment of environmental quality improvement program (CITE) including regular reports on achievements; the CITE program emphasizes the importance to environmental performance to the employees of the coking operations Enhanced transparency of operations and maintenance procedures with regular reporting to ACHD Community benefit provisions US Steel will be paying all fines related to the 2018 order amounting to $2,732,504. Of these fines, 90% ($2,459,253) will go into a community benefit trust for impacted communities while the remaining ten percent ($273,250) will go into the clean air fund Development of a community advisory panel of citizens and elected officials from impacted communities These improvements are expected to have a significant impact on emissions from the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works. The department will work to calculate specific estimates for future release. Finally, in order to provide U.S. Steel with predictability, ACHD has agreed to (1) stipulate penalties for violations based on the department’s civil penalty policy; (2) clarify ambiguities between regulation and source testing requirements; and, (3) define the procedures for developing new coke oven emission standards. Given the critical nature of the settlement agreement, it is being put out for a 30-day public comment period which will begin on Monday, July 1, 2019. The full draft settlement agreement can be found online at https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Programs/Air-Quality/Public-Comment-Notices.aspx. Instructions for submitting comments are contained in that notice. Here’s associated media coverage from the announcement: “Agreement Between U.S. Steel, Allegheny Health Dept. Reached Following Multiple Fires,” KDKA.com “U.S. Steel, Health Department Have Deal to Settle 2018 Air Pollution Violations at Clairton Coke Works,” WTAE.com “U.S. Steel to Pay $2.7 Million in Fines Over Clairton Violations,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “U.S. Steel, Health Department Reach Draft Settlement Over Clairton Coke Works Violations,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Settlement Reached Between U.S. Steel, Health Officials After Repeated Fires,” WPXI.com “U.S. Steel, Allegheny County Have a Draft Agreement on Pollution Violations,” State Impact #airpollution #USSteel #settlementagreement #emissions #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality

The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) was proud to join residents this week at a community listening session on air quality hosted by Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger – an event designed to provide Pittburghers the opportunity to speak out and tell their personal stories regarding air pollution. GASP’s executive director, Rachel Filippini, made remarks at the event, which was held at Repair the World Pittsburgh Wednesday night. In case you missed it, here are Rachel’s full comments: “Good evening, my name is Rachel Filippini and I’m the executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution (or GASP).  We’ve worked for 50 years to improve air quality in southwestern Pennsylvania. While significant environmental improvements have been made in many areas, the Pittsburgh region continues to struggle with significant health threatening air pollution. Thank you to Councilwoman Strassburger for organizing this listening session and for shining a light on this important issue. What do we know? We know Pittsburgh ranks as one of the top 10 most-polluted cities in the nation in regard to year-round particle pollution. Fine particles which are linked to everything from asthma attacks to heart attacks and strokes, cancer, and premature death. We know Allegheny County ranks in the top 2 percent of counties in the United State for cancer risk from air pollution. We knowchildhood asthma rates in some Allegheny County schools are double the state average. We know air pollution makes people sick, shortens lives, and negatively impacts quality of life. New research shows air pollution also affects us socially through decreased productivity, school attendance, and lifetime earnings. As you are certainly aware there has been a flurry of recent media coverage focusing on the multiple, recent fires at United States Steel’s Clairton Coke Works and the ensuing pollution created. If one positive thing has come out of these fires, it is that it has sparked community engagement on the issue of air quality. Community members are rightfully concerned about the fires, but I believe the anger, anxiety, and frustration we are hearing is the result of residents enduring decades of air pollution while seeing enforcement of law that has – to date – proven ineffective. The fight for clean air can’t come from citizens alone. We need – we depend – on our local and state leaders to look out for us, to pass strong laws and regulations that protect public and environmental health, and to raise a fuss when those laws aren’t being enforced. So, what can Pittsburgh City Council do? Speak out. Air pollution is a regional problem that needs a regional solution. Pollution from Clairton Coke Works doesn’t just affect Clairton and the Mon Valley – it affects us all. The pollutants and their associated odors know no boundaries. Currently, the Health Department of Allegheny County Air Quality Program is reviewing Allegheny County’s coke over regulations to see where they can be strengthened to reduce hydrogen sulfide and its rotten egg odor. When this goes out to public comment, we need you to let your constituents know about this and speak out yourself. Know the stationary sources in your own community. You can find them by going to GASP’s Air Quality Permits Clearinghouse. By knowing your own sources, you can be aware of whether or not their permits are current or expired, can find out if hearings are scheduled, and be better able to provide information to your constituents. Help reduce diesel pollution in Pittsburgh. Diesel particulate matter is one of the greatest inhaled air toxic cancer risks in the region. In 2016, Pittsburgh City Council passed legislation to clean up construction projects in Pittsburgh. This important law finally went into effect earlier this year with the Duck Hollow construction project. While we are pleased that the City’s clean construction implementation is finally a reality, because it only applies to city-funded projects, it has a limited impact. The Urban Redevelopment Authority announced that they will adopt a similar clean construction policy. Now, we need other authorities, which many city council members are a part of, and institutions to pass and enforce their own policies.  Using clean construction equipment needs to become the norm and not the exception. You can also ensure your constituents know that there is a diesel idling law in Pennsylvania that restricts heavy duty on-road diesel vehicles to five minutes of idling.  The police can and should enforce this law but rarely do.  You must encourage them to. City council should take other steps to move away from diesel emissions to electrification.  There is funding out there.  Let’s go after it to clean up as many vehicles and equipment as possible. In addition to the many stationary and mobile sources of pollution fouling our air, residential wood burning is also an issue we often hear concerns about. Allegheny County has an open burning regulation but it is rarely enforced because the health department does not see it as a public nuisance unless multiple people on a street are calling and complaining about it.  Local municipalities can be more stringent when it comes to open burning and the City of Pittsburgh should consider this in light of the many complaints received. What other steps can Pittsburgh take? Can you do more on predicted poor air quality days or predicted poor air dispersion days to reduce pollution?  For instance, can you incentivize using public transport on those days?  Can you ensure there is better coordination between city planning, environmental services, parks and recreation, and transportation and engineering — making sure there is always an eye towards emission reduction? What other best practices to combat air pollution can Pittsburgh adopt?  Now is the time to be exploring and implementing those practices. There is a lot to love about the Pittsburgh region. We have top-rated universities, world-class health care, abundant cultural and natural amenities, and winning sports teams.  Unfortunately, air quality is not something Pittsburghers love or brag about.  Let’s attack our air pollution problem like we would any other public health threat. Thank you for your time. “ #airpollution #diesel #emissions #CleanConstruction #airquality

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and CountyStat on Wednesday announced the launch of an air quality dashboard on the county’s website. The new interactive site takes information from ACHD’s air quality monitors and provides it in a user-friendly format that is more easily understandable. Users can choose to look at real-time data or choose historical data and can also sort data by type of pollutant and location of the air quality monitors. The new dashboard also contains frequently asked questions. It is available on ACHD’s air quality webpage. “This tool gives people in the public more information about the air quality where they live,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a press release. “Often, news stories make it look like the region’s air quality is the air quality throughout the county. This tool allows residents to have a quick snapshot of what the air quality is where they live based on the nearest monitor.” The “today” tab of the dashboard shows the most recent 24 hours of data from all air quality monitors across the county that measure three common types of air pollution: fine particulate matter – or PM2.5- ozone, and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The current Air Quality Index (AQI) from each monitor is also part of the dashboard and contains information on what current AQI may have on a person’s health. The “over time” tab provides information on historical trends for data dating back to January 2016 for most monitors. “We are very excited to have worked with CountyStat to develop a new and comprehensive tool so that the public can access the most recent air quality data and information,” Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker said in a statement. “Public interest in air quality is crucial to improving air quality in Allegheny County. We encourage residents to explore this dashboard and all of its features. #ACHD #airquality #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #AQI

GASP this week joined fellow environmental organizations in the tri-state region to stand together in opposition to the inclusion of the Appalachian Storage Hub (ASH) as a “new energy source” at tonight’s SPC Long-Range Transportation and Development Plan, “Smart Moves for a Changing Region.” ASH, also known as the Appalachian Ethane Storage Hub, is a proposed massive infrastructure project that would expand unconventional oil and gas drilling (including five or more cracker plants) by allowing natural fracked gas liquids to be stored in underground storage facilities, transported via as many as 15 possible pipelines. “The inclusion of the endorsement of ASH is an attempt by our state leaders to surreptitiously slip funding in to the plan for petrochemical industry development of a storage hub that would exacerbate climate change and harm public health,” said Matt Mehalik, executive director of the Breathe Project. “The ASH concept is a direct threat to our region’s ability to meet climate change goals, putting our community at risk and giving us a reputation as a destructive, world wide, climate polluter.” While many parts of the “SmartMoves for a Changing Region” are laudable – especially its “Clean Air Strategy” that strives to improve the region’s air quality, the inclusion of ASH is inconsistent with the overall tenor of the plan. “The SPC’s endorsement of a petrochemical industry buildout for the region is an affront to public health and the well-being of our communities,” added Jacqui Bonomo, CEO of PennFuture. “A public comment period of seven weeks is insufficient for the many community voices opposed to a fossil-fueled future to be heard. There is a more sustainable future available to us than frack-gas and the toxic petrochemicals industry it will fuel.” “Support for the Appalachian Storage Hub, infrastructure and associated facilities, is not a Smart Move in the long run,” said Sue Seppi, project manager at Group Against Smog and Pollution. “It is a step backward, holding us in a less sustainable place than what could have been.” The groups also submitted a sign-on letter in opposition to the inclusion of ASH as part of the plan. Petrochemical investment in the Appalachian Basin alone is projected to produce almost 1/5th of the new emissions from the United States in the next 30 years. The carbon dioxide emissions enabled by these new drilling projects will prevent our ability to achieve a net decrease in U.S. emissions by 2050. Oil and gas production in the U.S. will be more than many of the next highest countries combined. The “Smart Moves” plan already reserves $275 million of highway and bridge funding to remediate the effects of extreme weather on our transportation system. Why would we pursue a strategy that will only exacerbate extreme weather by releasing huge quantities of greenhouse gas emissions while putting our region’s reputation at risk? The groups asked that SPC not include support for an Appalachian Storage Hub as a backdoor goal of this new plan, and that none of the region’s transportation and infrastructure dollars go to supporting this destructive industry that does not create the prosperous future outlined throughout the vast majority of SPC’s “Smart Moves” plan. The people of SWPA built this region to be the energy powerhouse that it is. We stand on the shoulders of the steelworkers and coal miners and industry engineers who helped to build this region. With creativity and innovation, we advocate for a transition to more sustainable and renewable energy industries in support of the health of workers, people, and the planet. These goals are outlined elsewhere in SPC’s report, and they should be expanded upon and invested in. #emissions #SmartMovesforaChangingRegion