The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this week announced it entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with The Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company to resolve air quality violations at its Rochester Plant in Beaver County. According to a press release issued Tuesday, Sherwin-Williams will pay a total $124,700 civil penalty within 30 days of receiving the fully executed consent order. The air quality violations first came to light thanks to investigative reporting by KDKA’s Meghan Schiller after neighbors sounded the alarm over what they described as persistent chemical smell. The consent order addresses violations related to: Failure to install and operate air cleaning devices in a timely manner Air contaminant source construction/installation without proper plan approval Missed required startup notifications Failure to perform required monitoring and recordkeeping under permit and plan approval conditions Issues tied to required control equipment startup timelines and stack testing In addition to the $124,700 civil penalty, the agreement establishes stipulated penalties for future violations. For example, Sherwin-Williams will be fined $1,000 per day per violation for failing to meet any of the agreement deadlines, including those associated with the installation and operation of a Thermal Oxidizer and South Tank Truck Area Carbon Adsorber. The agreement remains in effect until DEP determines Sherwin-Williams has completed all required corrective actions and paid all required penalties. Editor’s Note: For those who’d like to take a deeper dive, you can access the full agreement here.

The U.S Chemical Safety Board on Monday issued its final report on the Aug. 11, 2025 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works that killed two people, injured 11 others, and caused an estimated $52.5 million in property damage. The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating, determining, and reporting to the public in writing the facts, conditions, and circumstances and the cause or probable cause of any accidental chemical release resulting in a fatality, serious injury, or substantial property damages. Its biggest takeaway? The explosion could have been prevented. The final report is 86 pages long and contains detailed analysis related to the incident, photographs depicting the aftermath of the explosion, and diagrams explaining what happened - we highly recommend folks take a look. While you can read the entire report online, here are the key investigative findings: Procedures and Hazard Analysis: On the day of the explosion, the valve washing operation was performed in a way that directly caused the catastrophic failure of the Battery 13 coke oven gas isolation valve. U.S. Steel occasionally utilized water washing to address valves that could not otherwise fully close, but the company never developed a formal procedure for water washing valves despite relying on it to prepare isolation valves for maintenance outages. Additionally, neither U.S. Steel nor its contractor, MPW Industrial Services, Inc, (MPW), identified or addressed the hazards created by applying pressurized water to the valve at a pressure greater than the valve’s design rating. Facility Siting: The buildings in the Battery 13/14 transfer area were located less than 20 feet directly above the coke oven gas piping system. The buildings were routinely occupied by U.S. Steel personnel but were neither designed nor constructed to withstand an explosion. In the years leading up to the explosion, U.S. Steel had multiple opportunities to evaluate and address the inherent hazards resulting from the co-location of occupied buildings and the hazardous coke oven gas piping. “However, U.S. Steel affirmatively chose not to do so, based on the company’s belief that it was not required to do so,” the report states. Process Safety Management Systems: U.S. Steel did not have sufficient process safety management systems that could have prevented or reduced the severity of this incident. Stay tuned, GASP continues to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted as more information becomes available. Editor’s Note: Here is some key coverage of the report: U.S. Steel’s 'ineffective’ safety procedures led to explosion that killed two, federal chemical safety board concludes - The Allegheny Front U.S. Steel could have prevented 2025 Clairton Coke Works explosion, Chemical Safety Board says | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Preventable safety management failures caused Clairton Coke Works explosions, says chemical safety board

Gov. Josh Shapiro last week announced the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will develop new regulations to reduce methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas operations across the state, including requirements to detect and repair leaks and phase out routine venting and flaring — two major sources of methane pollution. According to a press release, DEP will develop rules requiring equipment and practices that reduce leaks from well sites, pipelines, and other oil and gas infrastructure, while reducing emissions from venting and flaring activities. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the principal component of natural gas. The new regulations are expected to reduce leaks and emissions from wells, pipelines, and other infrastructure, and require regular monitoring to identify and plug any new leaks. Some more potentially good news: Through the RISE PA program, the Commonwealth is investing $396 million “in projects that will create thousands of good-paying construction and manufacturing jobs while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution from industrial facilities.” The release also indicated that more than $210 million in federal funding has been secured to plug 400 orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells — more than were plugged in the previous 10 years combined — and secured more than $29 million in state funding to continue this critical work and reduce methane emissions that contribute to climate change. DEP announced the rulemaking in its updated Regulatory Agenda, which outlines the regulatory actions DEP expects to undertake over the coming year. The proposal will move through Pennsylvania's public regulatory review process, including opportunities for stakeholder and public comment before any final regulations are adopted. The full Regulatory Calendar can be found on the DEP website. Advanced drafts of the regulation will be presented to the Citizen’s Advisory Council, Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee, the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board, and the PA Grade Crude Advisory Council. GASP lauds the announcement and looks forward to reviewing the regulatory language when it is published for public comment. Stay tuned, we continue to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted as the process unfolds.

The latest round of Canadian wildfire smoke descended on southwestern Pennsylvania Thursday and lingered into the weekend, ushering in Air Quality Index values that soared into the Code Maroon range, prompting a spate of warnings from state and local officials. How Social Media Played a Role Meanwhile, social media platforms were blowing up with posts showing sepia-toned skies that obscured Pittsburgh’s iconic skyline. EarthCam and CMU CREATE Lab's BreatheCam footage showed these views: Journalists like our friend Natalie Bencivenga took to Instagram to help keep people informed on what they were seeing, smelling, and breathing: One local physician used her feed to educate followers about just how bad our local air quality was, and what physical symptoms they could be experiencing as a result of the spiking AQI. Her name is Dr. Natalie Gentile, and her Instagram video went viral: Residents Share Fears, Physical Symptoms on SmellPGH Meanwhile, SmellPGH users provided a glimpse into what residents were experiencing: This latest episode of (very) bad air quality also coincided with one of Pittsburgh’s most popular outdoor festivals: Picklesburgh. Social media lit up with people asking, “Is it even safe to attend?” The question showed up in community Facebook groups, on Reddit, and was fodder for at least one conservative talk radio show (not linking because we don’t want to give a troll more traffic). It was also discussed on the popular social media site oneBURGH, where they called out KDKA for what it deemed as irresponsible reporting on a burgeoning public health issue: But how bad was the air we were all breathing? Consider this information shared Friday by ACHD: News reports also indicate that UPMC emergency rooms saw an uptick of people seeking medical treatment for heat and air quality-related ailments. Air Quality Extenuating Circumstances We would be remiss if we didn’t mention two high-profile events that took Thursday as our area was already grappling with unprecedented air pollution: First, there was the long-awaited explosion of the Commercial Street Bridge in Pittsburgh that the media aptly said left behind “nothing but a cloud of smoke and a pile of rubble” - timing that baffled residents and activists. Then, there was a fire Thursday night at an industrial facility on Neville Island - Gottlieb Aluminum Recycling Inc. - that alarmed local residents and further fouled local skies. GASP Communications Manager Amanda Gillooly, who lives near Gottlieb, captured video of massive dark plumes of smoke emanating from the facility - one she said she and neighbors have made reports about for years. While we know there was a huge emergency response to the fire - with 19 departments responding - the cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage was not immediately known. Stay tuned, GASP is working to get more details. What Went Right One bright spot? Allegheny County Health Department’s robust response and public communications - from news releases distributed through the Allegheny Alerts system to actionable and informative social media posts, GASP appreciates ACHD’s diligent work. “The last time wildfire smoke rolled into our region and caused significant air quality issues, ACHD did not have an emergency alert system in place - a problem we repeatedly implored the department to correct,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “This time around, residents were able to receive important public health information directly from the department instead of having to rely on news coverage or seeing something on social media.” He continued: “We thank ACHD for stepping up its crisis communications and truly helping to inform folks during some of the worst air quality many of us have seen in our lifetimes.” GASP encourages everyone to sign up to receive alerts through the new county system - here’s what you need to know. We also encourage folks to bookmark AirNow.gov and/or download the app. Also follow GASP on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky for educational material and alerts. Editor's Note: Who can you trust when the world is on fire? You can trust GASP to bring you timely, actionable information when you need it most. When wildfire smoke sent local AQI soaring, Southwestern Pennsylvanians were left wondering how to keep their families safe. That's where GASP came in: From breaking down complex particulate pollution updates into clear, real-time guidance to giving residents practical resources to protect their health, GASP served as Pittsburgh’s reliable frontline defense. But keeping our region educated, vigilant, and vocal takes year-round resources. When the air gets heavy, our work gets critical. Help us keep Southwestern Pennsylvania informed, empowered, and breathing easier. Make a donation to GASP today.

The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday afternoon issued the following press release: The Allegheny County Health Department wants to inform the public that the PM2.5 air quality conditions for Thursday, July 16 are currently in the Code Maroon (Hazardous Air Quality) range for areas of the county and conditions have gotten progressively worse throughout the afternoon. Wildfire smoke continues to impact Pennsylvania from Ontario, Canada and Minnesota, significantly deteriorating the air quality across Commonwealth. The wildfire smoke will remain in the area this afternoon but is expected to eventually move out of the area on Saturday. At this time, the health department recommends no outdoor activities this evening and potentially tomorrow. The local monitoring in Allegheny County shows the current levels as of 4pm are in the Code Maroon (Hazardous) range on EPA’s AirNow map. The U.S. Air Quality Index is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tool for communicating about outdoor air quality and health. Code Maroon (Hazardous) indicates that: Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. The U.S. EPA, DEP, and Allegheny County Health Department recommend the following guidance: Code Maroon (Hazardous): Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Sensitive groups: Remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keeping particle levels low indoors. If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air conditioning or check with your local municipality to find out if cooling centers are available in your community. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has issued a PM 2.5 Air Quality Alert of Code Purple for Friday, July 17. Code Purple (Very Unhealthy): Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Reschedule to a time when air quality is better or move activities indoors. Sensitive groups include people with respiratory issues or lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis as well as older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. General Public: Avoid long or intense activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. PM 2.5 is a type of particle pollution comes from many different sources. Fine particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller) come from power plants, industrial processes, vehicle tailpipes, woodstoves, and wildfires. Particle pollution causes a number of serious health problems, including coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes. It also is linked to early death in people with heart or lung disease. All residents are advised to check AirNow for your current air quality and take simple steps to reduce your exposure. Get the latest local updates on air quality by enrolling in Allegheny Alerts for free. Additional Air Quality Index Resources: Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Guía de la calidad del aire sobre la contaminación por partículas

It’s gonna be a nasty one, today: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5). GASP wants to strongly urge residents to be air aware - bookmark www.airnow.gov or download the app for current conditions in our area. As a reminder: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all. An Air Quality Alert is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher. During Code Red Air Quality Alerts all residents should consider limiting their outdoor activities, and sensitive groups such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider moving activities indoors. Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Alert areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by: Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment; Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use; and Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials The expected poor air quality also prompted the Allegheny County Health Department on Wednesday to issue a Mon Valley Air Pollution Watch for today and Friday. A Mon Valley Air Pollution Watch is issued when weather conditions are forecast to cause a high concentration of particulate pollution in the Mon Valley. During the Watch phase, facilities like U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works must conduct basic checks to ensure equipment is in good working order and that they have adequate staff to take actions required under the Warning phase. These alerts are sent as part of The Mon Valley Episode Rule, an addition to our local Air Pollution Control Regulations that was signed into law in September 2021. You can get the skinny on the rule right here. GASP continues to monitor our local air quality conditions, and will be posting updates on our social media. Please be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.

Friends, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of the GASP team: Dr. Jeff Galak, associate professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. Here’s a little bit about Jeff: He received his undergraduate degree in marketing and economic theory, a Master of Philosophy in marketing, and a Ph.D. in marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is an expert in consumer behavior, consumer psychology, and how people make judgments and decisions. Jeff spends his days analyzing why people care about what they care about, how expectations shift, and how to communicate complex ideas in ways that truly resonate. For an organization like GASP, which is constantly translating technical air quality permits and scientific data into actionable community advocacy, having Jeff’s professional pedigree on our side is tremendous benefit. Our team couldn't be more excited about what this means for the future of our advocacy: "We are so excited to welcome Jeff to GASP’s Board of Directors," GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. "Our air quality work relies heavily on educating the public and mobilizing communities. Jeff’s deep understanding of communications and consumer psychology will elevate our outreach efforts and provide a fresh perspective on how we connect with folks across southwestern Pennsylvania.” GASP Board President Jonathan Nadle echoed the sentiment: “Having Jeff on board will allow us to more effectively cut through the noise, tell our story, and drive real behavioral and policy change in Allegheny County and beyond,” he said. When he isn’t educating the next generation of marketing leaders at CMU or publishing groundbreaking research in top marketing and psychology journals, Jeff is a proud member of the Pittsburgh community. He is eager to channel his expertise into grassroots, regional environmental impact. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the outdoors and feel that we should protect the fragile environments that we live in. I’m thrilled to help support GASP in its efforts to improve air quality in the region so that all of us can enjoy the beautiful spaces that we live in,” Galak said. Please join us in giving him a warm GASP welcome!

If you’ve been following Mon Valley news lately, you’ve probably seen a LOT of headlines around U.S. Steel’s proposed multi-billion-dollar capital investment plan for its local facilities - and at the heart of this plan is a proposal to build a hot strip mill at the Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock. U.S. Steel has bragged in press releases about efficiency, securing thousands of union jobs, and bringing a historic 150-year-old mill into the modern era. But around here at GASP, we know that when it comes to industrial air pollution, you always have to look past the headlines and dig into the actual data. Let's break down what a hot strip mill is, what U.S. Steel is promising, why the environmental math isn't quite adding up for the health of the Mon Valley, and how YOU can get involved in the process. A Little Info on the Current Mon Valley Works Setup Before we get too deep in the weeds about permits and pollution, let's look at how the Mon Valley Works operates as a team. Right now, the process is split up across a few locations: The Clairton Plant bakes coal into coke. The Edgar Thomson Plant uses that coke in its blast furnaces to melt down iron ore into liquid iron, which is cast into heavy steel slabs. The Irvin Plant in West Mifflin takes those cold steel slabs and heats them back up to extreme temperatures so a machine—a hot strip mill—can roll them flat into massive coils for cars and appliances. The new plan shifts that last piece of the puzzle - U.S. Steel wants to build a brand-new hot strip mill right at Edgar Thomson, which means they can process the steel slabs right where they are made, possibly decommissioning the 87-year-old mill currently running over at the Irvin Plant. What is a Hot Strip Mill, Anyway? The short answer is it’s a massive industrial facility designed to transform thick, semi-finished steel slabs into thin, long strips or coils at extremely high temperatures. Here’s the process: Reheating: Slabs are heated in a furnace to approximately 1,250°C to ensure they are soft enough to deform without cracking. Descaling: High-pressure water sprays remove mill oxidized layers from the surface to prevent surface defects in the final product. Roughing Mill: Massive rollers reduce the initial slab thickness by about 80 percent through several passes. Finishing Mill: A series tandem stands further compress the steel to its final precise thickness and width. Cooling and Coiling: The strip is rapidly cooled using water before being wound into giant coils weighing up to 35 tons. The Corporate Argument: More Efficient, Lower Emissions Per Ton U.S. Steel argues the shift in operations from the Irving Works to Edgar Thomson is a win for the environment, and that moving the new hot strip mill will utilize what’s known in the air quality permitting world as Best Available Control Technologies (or BACT) to keep emissions down. The company projects that emissions directly associated with the strip mill's operations will drop from 25.4 tons per year (at the old Irvin plant) to about 22 tons per year at the planned Edgar Thomson setup. U.S. Steel argues that because the mill would be brand new and more efficient, the pollution per ton of steel produced goes down. The Reality Check: Why Air Quality Advocates are Concerned While a minor drop in emissions from hot strip mill operations sound good enough on paper, environmental watchdogs and data tell a much more complicated story. A couple things to keep in mind as this process unfolds: 1. The New Hot Strip Mill Locks in Dirty Coal Technology for Decades The biggest red flag isn't necessarily what the new mill does as much as what it's going to keep alive: As part of this merger and investment package, Nippon Steel pledged to keep Edgar Thomson's traditional, coal-fired blast furnaces running at full capacity for at least the next 10 years. While other modern steelmakers are transitioning to Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs) that melt recycled scrap metal using electricity and emit a fraction of the pollution, U.S. Steel’s hot strip mill project doubles down on traditional blast furnaces. This means the Mon Valley will continue relying heavily on coal and coke, locking in legacy pollution for years to come. 2. The Facility Will Have a Massive Carbon Footprint According to EPA estimates, adding a hot strip mill operation directly to the Edgar Thomson facility could increase the plant's greenhouse gas emissions by up to 750,000 tons of carbon per year. To put that into perspective: Adding 750,000 tons of carbon dioxide to our local ambient air annually is the environmental equivalent of putting 150,000 more cars on the road. It’s also enough carbon dioxide to power 30 homes for an entire year. But that’s not all: According to a recent analysis from our friends at Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab, the closure of the Irvin Works facility coupled with emissions impacts from the new hot strip mill at Edgar Thomson would actually expand the Mon Valley Works’ pollution zone substantially. 3. Ongoing Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Concerns The Mon Valley has a long, well-documented history of air quality struggles. Monitor data consistently show the highest levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)—the microscopic soot that penetrates deep into human lungs—are recorded near the Clairton Coke Works and Edgar Thomson facilities. Mon Valley airshed has historically failed to meet federal clean air standards. Meanwhile, U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works operations have been subject to consent decrees with local and federal officials triggered by ongoing air quality violations at both the Clairton Coke Works and Edgar Thomson. While U.S. Steel continues to brag about what amounts to minor efficiency gains with the hot strip mill, residents and advocates like GASP are concerned that adding even more heavy industrial pollution to a site already struggling to meet basic health-based air standards is a massive gamble for the communities of Braddock, North Braddock, and surrounding municipalities. The facility itself will be nestled in a cluster of Environmental Justice Communities: In fact, a recent analysis from CREATE Lab shows the installation of the new hot strip mill wouldn’t lessen pollution as much as shift it: The primary pollution impacts would move to a more densely populated and already burdened population. What Happens Next? U.S. Steel wants to move quickly, targeting a production startup in the second half of 2029. However, the company cannot proceed without an approved Title V operating permit (more on this later) from ACHD, which is expected to be published sometime this summer. Right now, the company is also seeking approvals from local municipal officials and other stakeholders related to issues like zoning and wastewater. And this is where we collectively come in. As the permitting process moves forward, there will be windows for public comment when it comes to air quality controls and compliance testing at the facility. That’s because Edgar Thomson is a Title V facility, which comes with a host of regulations and responsibilities. What You Need to Know About Title V Facilities Title V of the Clean Air Act requires Major Sources of air pollution to obtain operating permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state or local agency that EPA has authorized to issue these permits. Major Sources in Allegheny County, like the Edgar Thomson facility, are permitted by the ACHD. A Major Source is defined as one that has the potential to emit at least 100 tons per year of any air pollutant 10 tons per year of any single hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year of any combination of hazardous air pollutants A Title V Operating Permit is a long, technical document that includes all emissions limits and standards to which a source is subject, as well as all operating, monitoring and reporting requirements that apply at the time of a permit’s issuance. For folks who want to take a deeper dive into all things Title V permits are invited to check out our online clearinghouse here. By including all requirements in one document, these permits - in theory - help source operators like U.S. Steel comply with those regulations. But they also help regulators and members of the public enforce them – all with the ultimate goal of reducing air pollution. A major source of air pollution must apply for a Title V Operating Permit in order to begin normal operations. That Title V Operating Permit is valid for five years, and sources must apply to renew their Title V Operating Permits before their old permits expire. Once the permit is published, it will go through a mandatory 30-day (or longer) period of time for members of the public to weigh in on the proposal. ACHD has already approved the company’s installation permit for the facility, which was one of the first air quality-related hurdles. You can read more on that in this story by Jack Troy of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. How - and Why - You Should Get Involved With critical regulatory milestones on the horizon, local residents have a powerful opportunity to demand stronger environmental and public health protections. Here is how you can get involved and make your voice heard: Show Up at Local Municipal Meetings Decisions that impact local zoning, municipal oversight, and community development happen right in your neighborhood council chambers. Local leaders need to know that air quality and industrial oversight are top priorities for constituents like you. Attending city and borough council meetings is one of the best ways to stay informed about what decisions community leaders are making regarding local facilities. If you live in North Braddock or Braddock, you can reach out directly to your municipal officials to voice your concerns or ask about upcoming agenda items related to Edgar Thomson: North Braddock Borough Officials ● Borough Manager: Cory Ruff – northbraddock.mgr@gmail.com ● Council President: Lisa Franklin-Robinson - admin@northbraddockborough.com Braddock Borough Officials ● Borough Manager: Lou Ransom Jr. - manager@braddockborough.com ● Council President: LuJuan Reeves - councilwomanreeves@gmail.com Plan to Participate in the Title V Air Permit Public Comment Period Because navigating these dense, highly technical documents can be daunting, GASP is teaming up with our friends at North Braddock Residents for Our Future, CREATE Lab, and other partners to ensure the community isn't left in the dark. Together, we will be providing: Timely Notifications: We will let you know when ACHD publishes the draft Title V permit and the public comment period is open. Educational Workshops: We'll host sessions to teach you how to read the document and spot key areas of concern. Actionable Talking Points: We will share specific language residents can use to demand things like more stringent monitoring, quicker reporting protocols, and tighter emission limits to make the permit more protective of public health. Understand Your Power to Comment When a draft Title V permit is released, it triggers a mandatory public comment period. Generally, residents can submit comments in two ways: Attend a Public Hearing and Testify: You can speak directly to regulators, sharing your personal experiences and demands face-to-face. Provide Written Comments: You can submit formal letters or emails detailing technical or community concerns before the public comment window closes. Why Regulators Need to Hear From You It is easy to feel like a single comment won't make a difference, but public participation is a vital piece of the regulatory process. Here is why your voice matters: It Forces Accountability: When regulators receive a high volume of community comments, they are legally required to review them and publish a formal Comment/Response Document alongside the final permit. Public scrutiny ensures regulators do not simply rubber-stamp weak permits. You Provide Crucial Personal Perspective: No one knows the impact of local pollution better than the people living next to it. Telling regulators how industrial air pollution from the Edgar Thomson facility impacts your daily life, limits your time outdoors, or how it exacerbates health issues like asthma provides invaluable context that numbers on a spreadsheet cannot replicate. It Amplifies Legal and Advocacy Work: When organizations like GASP push for stronger enforcement or legally challenge a deficient permit, having a record of strong, active community opposition significantly strengthens the case. Our region has historically faced some of the toughest air quality challenges in the nation, carrying increased risks of respiratory illnesses and cancer. The good news is that by combining citizen advocacy, community-led education, and public opposition, we can push back against the corporate talking points to ensure our communities get the environmental justice they so richly deserve.

Listen, you can't protect your health if you don't know what's in the air you're breathing. Full stop. That is why we are issuing an urgent call to action for all our members and supporters: Allegheny County is completely changing its Allegheny Alerts system and action must be taken by July 18. What is Changing? Allegheny County recently announced that it is transitioning Allegheny Alerts to a brand-new platform. Because of this system migration, current subscriptions will not automatically carry over. If you are currently signed up, your alerts will expire on July 18 unless you manually create a new account. The county has launched a new registration portal to make the switch as seamless as possible. Just click here to get signed up today. Why This Matters for Clean Air Advocates While the system handles everything from county road closures to election updates, its public health and air quality updates are what matter most to our mission. By signing up for a new account, you can completely customize your notifications. You get to choose: How you get notified: Choose between text messages, emails, or direct phone calls. What you hear about: You can toggle specific notifications on or off. Make sure these boxes are checked: “GASP and fellow advocates have for years implored the county to institute a more robust alert system that allows health officials to communicate critical public health issues to residents more quickly, and it’s finally here,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We hope all of our members will take a few moments to switch over to the new system.”

As part of our ongoing watchdog work, GASP this week took formal action to protect public health in Washington County: Our Senior Attorney John Baillie submitted written comments to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the draft Plan Approval for ETC Northeast Pipeline’s Revolution Cryogenic Plant in Smith Township. Here’s what’s going on: Currently, the Revolution Cryogenic Plant is classified as a natural minor source of air pollution. However, with the addition of the new Cryo II Unit, its potential to emit air pollutants would exceed major source thresholds. To avoid being regulated as a major pollution source, the facility is aiming for synthetic minor status. To qualify for this, a facility must follow strict operating conditions that keep its emissions below certain thresholds. According to the DEP’s Review Memo, the facility can only stay below major pollution thresholds if it relies heavily on two specific pollution controls: A Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU) operating at a 99.9% control efficiency. A Thermal Oxidizer operating at a 99% control efficiency. Here is the catch: While DEP based its math on these high efficiencies, the draft Plan Approval does not actually legally mandate them. In the comments submitted this week, GASP argued that if these exact control efficiencies are required to keep the plant from becoming a major polluter, they must be explicitly written into the permit. GASP urged the DEP to revise the draft plan to: Mandate the numbers: Explicitly require the facility to maintain a 99.9% control efficiency for the VRU and a 99% efficiency for the thermal oxidizer. Prove compliance: Incorporate testing, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. Without them, there is no way for regulators—or the public—to know if the controls are actually working. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted as the permitting process continues.