Editor's Note: According to the Allegheny County website, the Health and Human Services Committe meeting originally slated for Nov. 14 has been moved to Dec. 5 (updated at 6:43 p.m. Nov. 13).
In Allegheny County, clean air is a right not a privilege. And today, we’re asking you to take a few minutes to fight for that right.
We need your help to urge Allegheny County Council’s Committee on Health and Human Services to vote YES on a proposal to fully fund our Air Quality Program through increasing permit fees on polluters.
The committee, which meets at 4:30p.m. Thursday, is expected to vote on whether or not to recommend the proposal be approved by the full council on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Thing is, this should be a simple vote - a total no-brainer.
But we are hearing through back channels that one of Allegheny County’s most prolific polluters - U.S. Steel - has enlisted its allies to try to tank the proposal, which has already been approved by the Board of Health and subject to a public comment period where it received a crazy amount of support from residents, nonprofits and elected officials alike.
Why is it a no-brainer?
The Clean Air Act in fact requires ACHD to have adequate funding and personnel to enforce air pollution controls. Specifically, the law mandates that ACHD charge fees to certain facilities (Title V facilities like U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works) to cover the program's costs.
The bottom line is clear: Air quality is a major public health concern and residents deserve a fully funded Air Quality Program with the resources to adequately enforce clean air laws and protect our public health from dangerous industrial pollution.
How can you help? Contact your Allegheny County Council representative and tell them:
You're concerned about air quality in Allegheny County (and share a personal story about how air pollution impacts you personally if you have one!)
Residents deserve a fully funded Air Quality Program to enforce clean air laws.
That you are urging them to vote YES on the proposal to fully fund the ACHD Air Quality Program.
Making your voice heard is easy-peasy! You don't need to be an expert. For real. Just send a quick email introducing yourself, explain how air quality impacts you, and emphasize the importance of a fully funded program.
Members of the Health and Human Services Committee include:
Chair Paul Klein Paul.Klein@alleghenycounty.us
Bethany Hallam Bethany.Hallam@alleghenycounty.us
Suzanne Filiaggi Suzanne.Filiaggi@alleghenycounty.us
Anita Prizio Anita.Prizio@alleghenycounty.us
Dan Grzybek Dan.Grzybek@alleghenycounty.us
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis
Robert Macey Bob.Macey@alleghenycounty.us
Nick Futules Nicholas Futules
Rather make a quick call? You can reach County Council at 412-350-6490. Need a little help or more info? No problem! Just email our communications manager Amanda Gillooly at amanda@gasp-pgh.org.
Editor’s Note: Want to watch the committee meeting? Here’s the link.