Editor’s Note: The Allegheny County Health Department periodically updates its website to include documents related to air quality enforcement actions. As part of our watchdog work, GASP monitors this webpage and reports on the air quality violations posted there. Since the docket has not been updated since December 2025, GASP is now filing monthly public records requests to glean more timely information related to ACHD’s enforcement efforts. This is one of the most recent actions received through the Right to Know process. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has issued a more than $15,000 civil penalty to U.S. Steel and contractor Evergreen Trucking for air quality violations at the Edgar Thomson Works from earlier this year. According to the May 1 ACHD enforcement order, inspectors on Jan. 15 witnessed the Evergreen’s vacuum truck discharging heavy emissions at Edgar Thomson with an opacity exceeding 60 percent, which violates the facility’s Title V operating permit. The Evergreen crew was actively removing collected material from the hoppers of the plant’s Basic Oxygen Process (BOP) Mixer and Desulfurization Baghouse. Upon noticing the excessive emissions, ACHD and U.S. Steel representatives intervened. The vacuum crew halted operations, shut down the vehicle, and subsequently drove the truck offsite. A report submitted the following day revealed that Evergreen had deployed a truck that was undergoing maintenance and was not supposed to be in service - the truck’s bag filters had recently been washed in preparation for replacement, causing the residual water to freeze and tear the filters. Inspectors further noted that none of the four crew members were monitoring the vehicle’s exhaust during the removal activity. The truck operator remained in the cab while three technicians worked inside the mixer house. The enforcement order notes that a similar emission event occurred about two years ago involving the same contractor, which resulted in a verbal warning but no formal enforcement action at the time. ACHD determined that inspections conducted by U.S. Steel and Evergreen were insufficient to ensure the proper functioning of the equipment. According to the order, Evergreen has since outlined corrective actions, including the implementation of strict equipment checklists, additional operational documentation, and mandated operator observation requirements to prevent future emissions excursions. No further information was immediately available. You can read the entire enforcement order here.

Editor’s Note: The Allegheny County Health Department periodically updates its website to include documents related to air quality enforcement actions. As part of our watchdog work, GASP monitors this webpage and reports on the air quality violations posted there. Because the docket has not been updated since December 2025, GASP is now filing monthly public records requests to glean more timely information related to ACHD’s enforcement efforts. The below are the most recent actions received through the Right to Know process. ACHD Fines P&W BMW $22,780 for Operating Without a Permit & Failure to Pay Fees The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) issued a $22,780 civil penalty against Max Auto Real Estate LLC and P&W BMW of Pittsburgh for operating regulated air pollution sources without a permit. The April 26 enforcement order details two years of unpermitted operations and unanswered correspondence regarding regulated air pollution sources at 720 Gross Street—the site of the former West Penn Hospital Foundation Research Building. According to the order, Max Auto Real Estate purchased the Gross Street property in January 2024. Upon acquiring the facility, the company assumed ownership of its regulated equipment, which includes two industrial boilers and an emergency generator. The equipment was previously regulated under a minor source operating permit that expired in 2014. ACHD inspectors first contacted the facility in December 2024, informing management that they were legally required to either transfer and renew the air quality permit or render the boilers and generator permanently inoperable. Despite project managers explicitly confirming to the county in April 2025 that the pollution sources remained fully operational, the companies failed to meet multiple deadlines to resolve their permitting status. In August 2025, ACHD issued an initial enforcement order, slapping the companies with an $1,800 fine and demanding a permit application within 21 days. Despite notices in September 2025, ACHD alleged the companies ignored the mandates, failed to file paperwork, or pay the fine. ACHD ordered Max Auto Real Estate LLC and P&W BMW of Pittsburgh to submit all delinquent permit applications, past-due maintenance fees, and associated late penalties within 21 days. The companies had 30 days to pay the $22,780.00 fine into the Allegheny County Clean Air Fund or submit an administrative appeal. No further information about the case was immediately available. You can read the entire enforcement order here. West Penn Hospital & Others Fined for Failure to Pay Civil Penalty for Late Submission of Air Quality Permit Fees Allegheny County Health Department issued civil penalties to several permitted sources of air pollution for failing to pay civil penalties related to the late submittal of their 2026 air quality permit fees. You can read the enforcement order against: Centre City Tower and its associated $500 penalty here. Knepper Press in Clinton and its associated $9,375 penalty here. Kutch Crematorium in East McKeesport and its associated $1,500 penalty here. Western Pennsylvania Hospital and its associated $2,150 penalty here. ACHD Fines Databank $2,800 for Failure to Submit Timely Reports The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) issued a $2,800 civil penalty against data center operator DataBank for failing to submit required air quality monitoring reports on time. The May 1 enforcement order details multiple reporting delays at DataBank’s facility located at 100 South Commons on Pittsburgh's North Side. Little bit of background: DataBank operates under a Minor Source Operating Permit issued in June 2022 that requires the submission of semiannual air quality monitoring reports. These reports are due every April 30 and Oct. 31 to track facility compliance and clearly identify any deviations from permit requirements. An ACHD review conducted in December 2025 revealed DataBank had missed both of its 2025 deadlines. The enforcement order shows ACHD initially contacted the company regarding the missing documentation in November 2025. DataBank subsequently submitted both overdue reports on Dec. 19. ACHD noted that the first semiannual report was delayed by seven and a half months, while the second report was submitted seven weeks past its deadline. This is not the first time the data center operator has faced regulatory scrutiny over missing paperwork: ACHD previously issued a Notice of Violation to DataBank on Nov. 1, 2023, citing a separate failure to meet semiannual reporting and compliance certification deadlines. ACHD ordered DataBank to ensure all future monitoring reports are compiled and submitted prior to established county deadlines. The company had 30 days from the receipt of the enforcement order to pay the $2,800.00 penalty directly into the Allegheny County Clean Air Fund or file an appeal. No further information on the case was immediately available. You can read the entire enforcement order here. ACHD Issues Administrative Order Against Contractor with Checkered Compliance Past Related to Asbestos Abatement The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has issued an administrative order with strict operational conditions onto local contractor Green Development and Construction as a prerequisite for its 2026 asbestos abatement license. The administrative order, finalized on April 24, explicitly states that the company's license will be subject to heavy regulatory oversight due to a history of "prior compliance issues.” Under the terms of the newly entered order, Green Development and Construction—headquartered at 1151 Freeport Road in Pittsburgh—must comply with a list of 13 compliance conditions to continue operating in Allegheny County. Among the primary mandates, the company is now legally required to: Secure a formal ACHD inspection for all pre-abatement set-ups or containments before any actual asbestos removal work begins. Establish a clearly defined, regulated work area secured by plastic construction fencing at a minimum. Refuse to sort any materials out of the debris on "demolition with asbestos-containing material (ACM) left in place" projects. The county mandates that all demolition debris on these sites must be handled exclusively as hazardous ACM construction waste. Explicitly identify the water source to be used for keeping demolition debris adequately wet prior to breaking ground. But that’s not all: The contractor is also required to notify ACHD of the start date for "demolition with ACM left in place" projects at least three business days in advance to trigger a pre-abatement inspection. Additionally, Green Development and Construction must provide the county with its Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry credentials for all on-site supervisors and workers during the initial setup phase. \ A representative from an independent, third-party air monitoring firm must also be physically present at the time of the setup inspection. Additionally, Green Development must file comprehensive daily work summaries to the ACHD within 24 hours of every shift. These daily packets must include a signed affirmation that all mandatory health practices were followed, a log of any operational deviations or violations, and the daily testing results from the air monitoring company. Within 24 hours of wrapping up a demolition project, the company must request a final clearance inspection from county health officials. ACHD warned the company's leadership that failing to meet any of the 13 outlined criteria will result in the immediate suspension or total revocation of its abatement license. You can read the entire order here.

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) wants to know: What health issues matter most in your community? Access to care? Mental health? Clean air and water? Safe neighborhoods? The department is inviting residents to share their perspectives through its Community Health Assessment, a countywide effort to better understand the health concerns, challenges, and opportunities facing communities across Allegheny County. The anonymous survey is open to all Allegheny County residents age 18 and older and takes about 15 minutes to complete. “The feedback gathered will help guide future health initiatives, investments, and community partnerships designed to improve health and well-being across the county. The survey will also help shape the next Plan for a Healthier Allegheny, the county's roadmap for addressing community health priorities,” ACHD said in a press release. "Public health works best when it is informed by the people we serve," ACHD Director Dr. Iulia Vann said. "Every resident has a unique perspective on what helps their community thrive and what challenges stand in the way of good health. This survey is an opportunity for people to share their experiences, elevate the issues that matter most to them, and help shape a healthier future for Allegheny County." The Community Health Assessment is part of a broader effort to hear directly from residents and ensure community voices are reflected in decisions that affect health, quality of life, and well-being throughout Allegheny County. The results will be used alongside other community data to identify priorities and guide future action. How to Participate: Residents can take the survey online at: QR.AlleghenyCounty.US/CHA Paper copies are available by emailing HealthCommunityEngagement@AlleghenyCounty.US. GASP joins ACHD in encouraging residents from every neighborhood, borough, township, and municipality to participate. The more voices represented, the better the county can understand community needs and work together to build healthier communities for everyone.

In the fight for clean air in Allegheny County, history is one of our most potent resources. The stories of those who lived through the industrial eras of our past, and the activists who stood up to fight for our right to breathe, provide the context and urgency that continue to inspire our work today. Through our Fresh Voices for Clean Air project, we’ve seen firsthand that there is no better way to protect our future than by handing the microphone to the generation that will inherit it. Bridging the Generational Divide We’re so proud of our Fresh Voices program because it’s an essential intergenerational bridge. By pairing local high school students with a diverse array of community members—from long-time residents who remember our worst skies to seasoned environmental advocates—we are creating a living, breathing archive of our region’s environmental journey. For the students, this is a hands-on masterclass in for the essential skills of modern advocacy: Media Literacy & Production: From interviewing and filming to editing and photography, they are learning how to translate complex environmental issues into compelling stories. Historical Context: By listening to firsthand accounts of our region's industrial history, they gain a deeper understanding of why current regulatory oversight—like that at the Clairton and Edgar Thomson Works—remains so vital. Community Connection: They are learning that effective advocacy is absolutely about data and permits - but it’s also about empathy, listening, and connecting with the lived experiences of friends and neighbors. Training the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders Why is this partnership between GASP and local students so critical? Because the environmental challenges facing our region are complex, long-term, and ever-evolving. To meet them, we need a pipeline of engaged, informed, and passionate citizens ready to take up the mantle. When we invest in student education, yes, we are teaching them about PM2.5 and Title V permits. But we are also empowering them to turn their passion into action. “We are showing them that their voices have weight and that they have the power to influence the health and future of their communities,” GASP Project and Education Manager Laura Kuster said. “The students involved in this program for the last two years did incredible work, uncovering narratives that might otherwise be lost to time.” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell agreed. “They are the next generation of environmental air quality heroes, and it is a privilege for us at GASP to support them as they hone their skills, find their voices, and help us all see our mission through a fresh, necessary lens,” he said. We were so proud this week to host an event celebrating their work - and we thank everyone who came out to join us in lauding their projects. We invite you to check out their incredible work here.

Today, we’re proud to share an air quality watchdog win out of West Deer Township – one that will mean less emissions emanating from the controversial EQT Leto Well Pad. Back in April, we blogged about the comments we gave regarding that draft Installation Permit, pointing out that proposed emission limits on the vapor destruction units and the dehydrator flare at the Leto Well Pad did not satisfy the “Best Available Control Technology” requirement in the Allegheny County Health Department’s rules and regulations for air pollution. Our senior attorney John Baillie explained the facility’s permit application demonstrated that it would be capable of operating flares used to control pollution at a 98% destructive efficiency rather than the 95% that would have been allowed by the draft Installation Permit. We are pleased that ACHD agreed with us and revised the Installation Permit so that the facility will be required to operate its flares at a 98% destructive efficiency. “This prevents about a ton of volatile organic compounds per year and about 200 pounds of hazardous air pollutants per year from entering the atmosphere,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “In the big picture, these are relatively small reductions, but every bit of pollution prevention helps.”

Last fall we blogged about a proposed rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would walk back deadlines for phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). For the uninitiated: HFCs are chemicals used largely as refrigerants (but also in the manufacture of semiconductors) that have greenhouse gas effects that are hundreds of times as potent as carbon dioxide. The EPA on May 26 finalized that rule. It should surprise no one that the final rule mirrors the proposed rule. On the other hand, the history of these regulations is remarkable. Here’s why: In 2015 and 2016, EPA under the Obama Administration promulgated regulations intended to phase down the use of HFCs, citing section 612 of the Clean Air Act as its authority for the regulations. However, section 612 deals with ozone-depleting substances only, and HFCs do not deplete ozone. Consequently, those regulations were challenged in court and struck down in 2017. In late 2020, Congress passed a bill that authorized EPA to promulgate regulations to impose a gradual, nationwide phase down on the production and consumption of HFCs, which President Trump signed into law. That law contemplated that federal regulations limiting the production and consumption of HFCs were to be promulgated following a “negotiated rulemaking” among EPA and stakeholders but also permitted EPA to forego the “negotiated rulemaking” based on petitions submitted to it. To be clear, in this context it is fair to conclude that “negotiated rulemaking” means that industry writes the rules. Under the Biden Administration EPA chose to forego the “negotiated rulemaking” and instead promulgated regulations in 2023 that limited the production and consumption of HFCs based on 12 petitions that were submitted by stakeholders, including state governments, environmentalists, and industrial producers and users of HFCs. These petitions generally sought to reinstate the requirements of the 2015 and 2016 Obama era regulations. “The pendulum has swung back to where it was in 2020,” GASP Senior Attorney John Baillie said. “The history of the HFC regulations shows not only that it is important to follow the law, but also that what one president can do with the stroke of a pen, the next president can undo the same way.”

GASP this week was deeply honored to help plan and attend a community forum at the Clairton Municipal Building. The meeting was called in response to the tragic August 11, 2025, explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, which claimed the lives of two workers, hospitalized others, and again shook the Mon Valley to its core. The turnout truly spoke volumes - the room was absolutely packed with folks demanding answers, transparency, and a safer future for the people who live and work in the shadow of the facility. The most significant update of the evening came directly from Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Director Dr. Iulia Vann. Acknowledging the long-standing community frustration over communication gaps during industrial accidents, she announced that the county is debuting a brand-new emergency alert platform called CodeRED. It will go live July 1. “This is tremendous news,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “GASP has long called on the health department to engage more quickly and more directly with residents during emergencies and bad-air events. We look forward to learning more and working with the county to make this tool as effective as possible.” In addition, Dr. Vann indicated that ACHD’s investigation into the explosion is still actively ongoing and that she could not speak publicly on any pending enforcement actions or fines stemming from the incident. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and helped organize the forum, and especially to the Clairton residents who filled the room. “Your presence sends an unmistakable message to both regulatory agencies and corporate polluters: the Mon Valley will not be silent,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. GASP will continue track the federal CSB (Chemical Safety Board) findings, and advocate for strict enforcement. We will also share update links and registration details for the CodeRED system as soon as they are officially released. Editor’s Note: You can find a detailed timeline of the explosion, as well as documents and news coverage, on our blog. If you missed the forum, and would like to view a recording, you can do so here.

At GASP we do more than just watch air quality and push back against industrial polluters’ illegal emissions. We also try to hold air quality regulators accountable for doing their jobs and fulfilling the duties that air pollution laws impose on them. This includes tracking how efficiently these regulators in Pennsylvania – specifically, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – process permit applications for sources of air pollution (more on the significance of such permits below). Since 2018 we’ve researched and reported on the backlogs that exist at ACHD and at DEP’s six regional offices for processing applications for Title V Operating Permits, the permits that the Clean Air Act requires the largest sources of air pollution to have. “Notwithstanding DEP's claims from earlier this year that it eliminated its permit backlog, GASP’s investigation uncovered applications that were still pending for longer than the eighteen months allowed under the Clean Air Act and DEP's own regulations.” Understanding Title V Operating Permits: What They Are, Who Needs Them and Rules About How They’re Issued Operating permits for major sources of air pollution are required by Title V of the Clean Air Act and thus are commonly called Title V Operating Permits. A Title V Operating Permit for a particular facility must contain all the operating requirements that the air pollution laws impose on the facility. This helps facilitate compliance with those requirements – regulators and the public can use a facility’s Title V Operating Permit to see what requirements it has and to help determine whether the facility is complying with them. A major source must apply for a Title V Operating Permit once it begins normal operations and the permitting authority gives it notice that it must submit a permit application. A Title V Operating Permit is good for five years, and sources must apply to renew their Title V Operating Permits before their old ones expire. The Clean Air Act, Pennsylvania’s air pollution control rules, and Allegheny County’s air pollution control regulations all require that the agency responsible for issuing Title V Operating Permits finish its review of any complete permit application within 18 months. Notably, the Clean Air Act allows a source that has submitted a complete application for a Title V Operating Permit to continue to operate pending the responsible agency’s final approval of the application, even if agency approval takes years. The Clean Air Act also requires that the operations of the state and local programs that administer Title V Operating Permits be funded entirely from the emissions and permit fees paid by the sources subject to the requirements of Title V. We first blogged about the backlogs of applications for new and renewed operating permits for major sources of air pollution that existed in DEP’s Southwest Regional Office (SWRO) and in Allegheny County (where Title V sources are regulated by ACHD) in September 2016. In April 2018, we updated that research and expanded it to include sources permitted by DEP’s other five regional offices. We have updated that research every year since. Here’s what our review turned up this year: In Allegheny County, there are now 23 major sources of air pollution. One of those facilities has applied for, but has never been issued, a Title V Operating Permit – ATI Flat-Rolled Products (which was formerly known as Allegheny Ludlum Brackenridge Works). ACHD did, however, publish a draft Title V Operating Permit for that facility in 2024. Including ATI Flat-Rolled Products, ACHD has failed to act on renewal applications for two of the 23 major sources in Allegheny County within 18 months as its regulations require: We are hopeful that increases in air permit fees that GASP and our partners worked to get passed for more than a year will allow ACHD to allocate the staffing and resources to completely eliminate its backlog once and for all. Southwest For purposes of air quality permitting, DEP’s Southwest Regional Office (SWRO) includes sources in Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties. This year we counted 54 major sources under the jurisdiction of the SWRO. There are a few interesting things going on with the permitting of major sources in the Southwest Region: The Brunner Landfill in Beaver County, which has never been issued a Title V Operating Permit, finally submitted a Title V Operating Permit application in January 2026. DEP has not yet published what would be the initial Title V Operating Permit for Shell Chemical Appalachia’s ethane cracker in Beaver County. The facility applied for its first Title V Operating Permit in mid-2024. Subsequently, the facility applied for a Plan Approval that would significantly change applicable emissions limits and operating restrictions at the plant. The Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station in Westmoreland County has been constructed and operated for many years under its Plan Approval, or preconstruction permit. DEP published a draft Title V Operating Permit for Tenaska in October 2025, but has not yet issued a Title V Operating Permit to the facility; Markwest Liberty Midstream & Resource’s Houston Gas Plant has had applications pending at one time or another for both a minor source operating permit and a Title V Operating Permit. The facility appears to have neither an operating permit (of any kind) currently in place nor an application for such a permit currently pending. At least from the information available on DEP’s eFACTS website, it is not clear whether DEP has classified this source as a major source subject to Title V or a minor source. Four major sources in the Southwest Region have had applications for Title V Operating Permit pending for more than the 18 months allowed by the Clean Air Act. Northwest DEP’s Northwest Region (NWRO) includes Armstrong and Indiana Counties for Title V permitting purposes, as well as Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties. We count 64 active major sources of air pollution in the Northwest Region. One facility, Webco Industries in Oil City, Venango County, was reclassified as a major source several years ago and still has its application for its first Title V Operating Permit pending. Including Webco Industries, four of the 64 facilities in the Northwest Region have had renewal applications for their Title V Operating Permit pending for more than 18 months: Northcentral DEP’s Northcentral Region (NCRO) includes Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union Counties. We counted 50 major sources of air pollution in the Northcentral Region. Three facilities in the Northcentral Region have had their applications to renew their Title V Operating Permits pending for more than 18 months: Southcentral DEP’s Southcentral Region (SCRO) includes Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York Counties. We counted eighty-five active major sources of air pollution in these counties. No source in the Southcentral Region has had a renewal application for a Title V Operating Permit pending for more than 18 months. Northeast DEP’s Northeast Region (NERO) includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. We counted 53 active major sources of air pollution in those counties, three of which have had applications to renew their Title V Operating Permits pending for more than 18 months: Worth noting: DEP’s eFACTS website (which tracks the status of facility permits) does not show that the Chrinergy Power facility has an application to renew its operating permit pending as of June 9, 2025; a source violates the air pollution laws if it continues to operate without submitting a timely application to renew or replace its operating permit. The facility does, however, have a plan approval from DEP in place and could be operating legally pursuant to that. Southeast DEP’s Southeast Region (SERO) includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties for purposes of permitting sources of air pollution (Philadelphia’s Air Management Services administers the Title V permitting program for facilities located in Philadelphia). We counted 70 active major sources of air pollution in the Southeast Region, only one of which has had its renewal application for a Title V Operating Permit pending for more than 18 months: Title V Permit Backlog 2018-2026 To give you some idea of how the Title V permit backlogs have (or haven’t) changed over the years, here’s a summary of the backlog has looked like at ACHD and each of DEP’s regional offices since 2018. Take a look at any of the actual permits at GASP's Air Permits Clearinghouse. Permits are sorted by county, along with supporting documents and more information. Here are GASP's Title V investigations since 2020 for those who'd like to take a deeper dive into the backlog issue: 2020 Investigation 2021 Investigation 2022 Investigation 2023 Investigation 2024 Investigation 2025 Investigation Editor's Note: Check out this coverage of the Title V backlog investigation from Jack Troy of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

GASP was honored to join Allegheny County Clean Air Now (ACCAN) Wednesday for a reunion event celebrating a decade of cleaner air since the closure of the Shenango Coke Works on Neville Island. It was a night of hugs, shared memories, and a profound sense of "we did it." Looking around the room, it was impossible not to feel hopeful about the power of a community that refuses to stay silent. “By pairing resident advocates with legal and technical air-quality experts, this multi-faceted approach showed just how much can be accomplished,” Campbell said. “It changed individual lives and improved the region for the better.” From Neighbors to Advocates: The Birth of ACCAN For decades, residents in Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, and Emsworth and Neville Island lived under the shadow of the Shenango plant. Foul odors were daily occurrences, and the Northgate School District once suffered through some of the highest asthma rates in the state. In June 2014, local residents decided they had had enough and formed ACCAN. They became certified smoke readers, meticulously documenting fugitive emissions and stack violations. After GASP helped connect the group with Carnegie Mellon’s CREATE Lab, a Shenango camera was installed, providing a 24/7 feed that showed undeniable visual evidence of the plant's impact. Legal Chops Meet Grassroots Grit While ACCAN provided the heart and the evidence, GASP was proud to provide the legal and technical muscle. We knew that for the community's voice to be heard by regulators, it needed to be backed by the law. GASP helped resident advocates navigate the complex world of air quality permits and enforcement. In 2014, GASP filed a Clean Air Act citizen suit against Shenango, arguing that the facility was repeatedly violating emissions standards. This legal pressure—combined with ACCAN’s relentless community exposure—helped force the hand of the Allegheny County Health Department and the EPA. When the plant finally shuttered in January 2016, it was a victory for the law as much as for the lungs. “It truly showed what amazing things can happen when resident advocates partner with legal and technical air quality experts,” Campbell said. “In our nearly 60-year history, our work related to the Shenango Coke Works is among GASP’s most impactful. A Decade of Health: By the Numbers The most beautiful part of this 10-year milestone? The measurable health improvements of our neighbors. Recent studies have confirmed what we felt in our chests almost immediately after the closure - one showing a drop in cardiovascular ER visits and the other confirming a similar drop in respiratory visits to the emergency room.

The Pennsylvania Senate earlier this month passed a bill that would require the end of the Keystone state’s vehicle emission inspection program –one that GASP has written about extensively (here and here and here). That begs the question: Can Pennsylvania end its vehicle inspection program? “Not if the Clean Air Act is enforced as written,” GASP Senior Attorney John Baillie said. Here’s why: Pennsylvania (along with northern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and parts of southern Maine) is included in the Ozone Transport Region created by section 184(a) of the Clean Air Act. Congress added the Ozone Transport Region to the Act in 1990 to provide a means to help reduce the amount of ozone-forming pollution that could be exported across state lines in the northeastern United States. Because Pennsylvania is in the Ozone Transport Region, the Clean Air Act requires that it implement a vehicle emission inspection program “in each area … that is a metropolitan statistical area or part thereof with a population of 100,000 or more.” This requirement is not contingent on Pennsylvania’s attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (the NAAQS), which makes sense given the purpose of the Ozone Transport Region: vehicle emissions in Pennsylvania, even from areas within the state that attain the NAAQS for ozone, might contribute to ozone attainment problems in downwind states. Notably, the Clean Air Act does not provide a mechanism by which the vehicle emission inspection program for an area within the Ozone Transport Region might be rescinded. In contrast, the vehicle emission inspection requirement imposed on states outside the Ozone Transport Region is contingent upon the degree of those states’ nonattainment of the NAAQS for ozone. The Clean Air Act imposes separate vehicle emission inspection requirements on what’s known as Moderate Areas (of nonattainment of the NAAQS for ozone), and “each urbanized area … with a 1980 population of 200,000 or more” within a so-called Serious Area. A Severe Area is subject to all the requirements that apply to Serious Areas, and an Extreme Area is subject to all the requirements that apply to Severe Areas, including the vehicle emission inspection requirement. However, once a state outside the Ozone Transport Region attains the NAAQS for ozone, it can eliminate its vehicle emission inspection program if it can show that elimination will not interfere with continued attainment of the NAAQS. Indeed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a proposal to eliminate North Carolina’s vehicle emission inspection program based on that state’s showing that it had attained the NAAQS for ozone and will continue to do so even without the program, even though eliminating the program is predicted to increase state-wide emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by 1,190 tons per year. Past attempts by the Pennsylvania Senate to eliminate the vehicle inspection program have failed to gain traction in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Stay tuned. We’ll track this latest one and let you know if it does any differently.