Councilperson Anita Prizio sponsored a proclamation celebrating Rachel’s commitment to GASP and the improvement of local air quality. It read:
WHEREAS, after 20 years dedicated to Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), Rachel Filippini will depart from GASP to pursue the next chapter in her personal and professional life; and
WHEREAS, GASP was founded in 1969 by volunteers concerned about air quality in southwestern Pennsylvania. Today, the organization continues to work to improve air quality in the region through education, advocacy, policy, and legal work; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, Rachel joined GASP. She served the organization in various capacities such as, executive assistant, education coordinator, and executive director; and
WHEREAS, Rachel has utilized knowledge obtained from her degree in Environmental Science from the University of Pittsburgh to spearhead Allegheny County air quality legislation, increase GASP’s educational work in local communities and schools, and continue to keep air pollution issues in the public eye; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Rachel has received many accolades. In 2009, she was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40, and in 2011 one of the Women and Girls Foundation’s “Women Greening the Pittsburgh Region”; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, Rachel was appointed to Allegheny County’s Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Allegheny Council Member Anita Prizio, do hereby honor and recognize Rachel Filippini for her dedication to GASP and improving the air quality throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 28th day of September 2021.
“It’s been an absolute honor to serve GASP for the past 20 years,” Rachel said in remarks before council, thanking members for the honor as well as their leadership on recent air quality issues like clean construction, permit fee schedule changes, and Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode regulations.
Congrats, Rachel!
In other air quality business, council on Tuesday referred to its appointment committee the re-appointment of these members of the Allegheny County Air Advisory Committee for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2023:
Chip Babst
Sara Marie Baldi
Dan Bricmont
Jeanne K. Clark
Michael Corcoran
Steve Hvozdovich
Mark Jeffrey
Bob Orchowski
John Palmiere
GASP wants to note: Rachel Filippini was a longtime member of the Air Advisory Committee and following her resignation began actively working to have our senior staff attorney and current Allegheny County regulation subcommittee member John Baillie take her place.
We have sent letters to county officials and hope to have something to report back to you soon.
We will keep you posted.