Group Against Smog & Pollution

Recent developments at Shenango Coke on Neville Island have brought this facility back from being a past project to a current one.  GASP sends its own Smoke Readers to observe the facility, and is working with Clean Water Action (CWA) to keep pressure on the facility and the county health department to ensure air emissions violations end.  Tune in here for the latest developments in cleaning up this old facility.

CWA, GASP, and residents of Neville Island and downwind communities visited the Shenango facility Wednesday, December 14, 2011, to ask the company to commit to a public accountability session early next year.  Mission accomplished–see articles below from 12/14/11 & 12/15/11.

WTAE’s Jim Parsons recently featured our Smoke Readers, volunteers that become trained in reporting on some stack emissions.  Watch his video of the Smoke Readers in action and hear from community members.  GASP was on hand and filmed our own video that adds a lot of context to the WTAE piece.

*UPDATE* Jim Thompson of the Allegheny County Health Department gave an update to the community on the County’s enforcement actions  on April 4, 2012.

“Shenango Inc. to pay $1.75 million for Neville Island pollution,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 24, 2012.

“Shenango Inc. coke battery improvements and plans for further upgrades yields settlement with EPA of historical violations,” DTE Press Release, July 24, 2012.

“Neville Island plant’s results hailed,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 5, 2012.

“Neighborhoods near Neville Island concerned about pollution, health threats,” WPXI.com, April 4, 2012.

“Kids can’t wait for clean air,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 7, 2012.

“Coke plant operator Shenango agrees to meet with concerned residents,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 15, 2011.

“Shenango emissions draw focus of Neville Island residents,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 15, 2011.

“Residents Worried About Neville Plant, Air Quality,” sewickley.patch.com, December 14, 2011.

“Residents seek meeting with coke plant officials,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 14, 2011.

“Avalon said to have worst air in Allegheny County,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 1, 2011.

“We shouldn’t have to put up with dirty air,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 27, 2011.

“Avalon supplants Clairton for dirtiest air,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 22, 2011.

“County fines Shenango for air quality violations,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 31, 2011.

“Neville Island coke shop fined $114,000 for smog,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 31, 2011.

“Post-Gazette series sparks debate about air pollution,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 22, 2011.

Past News

“Shenango repairs cut emissions,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 27, 2006.

“Shenango gets approval to return coke plant production to normal,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 1, 2005.

“Shenango consents to pollution cutbacks, fine,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 30, 2005.

“Shenango Inc. must reduce emissions, pay fine,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 30, 2005.

“Shenango gets black mark,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 5, 2005.

“Cutback at Neville Island plant delayed,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 3, 2005.

“Shenango appeals $252K fine, coke-baking restriction,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 29, 2005.

“Shenango appeals air pollution violations,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 29, 2005.

“Coke plant sanctions lauded,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 24, 2005.

“Coke works fined $252K,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 23, 2005.

“Neville coke maker fined for air pollution,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 23, 2005.

“County fines Neville coke maker $252,000,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 22, 2005.

“Smoke controls / Resorting to fines and lawsuits for public health,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 6, 2005.

“Coke oven pollution violations at Neville Island plant draw fine,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 29, 2005.

“Shenango Coke Works spews pollutants,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 29, 2005.

“Neville coke ovens facing pollution fines,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 28, 2005.

“Shenango air pollution raises concern on Neville,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 25, 2003.

“Shenango, residents discuss concerns,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 8, 2001.

“Shenango cuts emissions after being fine,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 19, 2001.

“Firm to pay $2.1 million, cut emissions,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 4, 2000.

“New coke plant may not materialize,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 5, 1999.

“Shenango coke plant violations trigger U.S. suit,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 22, 1999.

“Group plans suit over coke pollution,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 14, 1999.

“Local groups seek EPA help over coke plant emissions,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 16, 1999.

“Group calls for delaying permit for new coke plant,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 26, 1999.

“EPA urges delay in coke works on Neville Island,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 21, 1999.

“Neville Island coke plant approved,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 22, 1999.

“A new and improved coke plant on Neville Island? Not so fast,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 21, 1999.

“Cleaner coke,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 1, 1999.

“Airing a grievance,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 24, 1999.

“County’s goal: Coke with less pollution,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 21, 1999.

“Sun told to add pollution controls,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 25, 1999.

“Coke plant expansion goes ahead,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 17, 1998.

“County getting 2 coke plant proposals,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 9, 1998.