Time is Running Out to Tell ACHD to Make ATI Title V Permit Stronger

Dear Fellow Breathers,

We wanted to give a last call for comments for those who want to weigh in on the Title V permit issued to Brackenridge-based ATI, which has been a major source of air pollution in Allegheny County for DECADES.

Allegheny County Health Department is accepting comments on the permit through Oct. 22 and we wanted to make sure you had the info you need to make your voice heard.

GASP submitted formal comments that you can read here. For those who would like to join us in calling for the permit to be stronger, we have sample comments below. Feel free to personalize them or use them as-is.

Comments must be e-mailed to aqpermits@alleghenycounty.us by the end of the day on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

For those who would like to testify in person, a public hearing will be held 6 p.m. at the Harrison Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Drive, Natrona Heights, PA 15065, in the conference room.

Anyone who would like to speak at the hearing should register online at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing on the Department’s permits webpage at https://alleghenycounty.us/AQnotices

Here are those sample comments:

The ATI Title V permit must be strengthened to better protect ambient air quality and public health. ACHD must:

• Modify the permit so is assures compliance with the limits on particulate matter content and opacity of emissions from the HRPF Slab Grinder's stack.

• Modify the permit so that it assures compliance with the permit's limits on emissions from the active Hot Boxes.

• Modify the permit so that it assures compliance with limits on the PM content and opacity of emissions from the Revering Roughing Mill.

• Modify the permit so that it assures compliance with limits on the PM content and opacity of emissions from the 7-Stand Hot Finishing Mill.

• Modify the permit so it assures compliance with NOX and PM limits on emissions from the Plasma torch cutting operation.

• Modify the permit so it assures compliance with hourly and annual limits on the NOX emissions from the Plasma Torch Cutting Operation.