Good news: Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) is now accepting applications for the second round of grants from the Mon Valley Public Health Fund—a fund established through the  U.S. Steel Settlement  related to the 2018 Christmas Eve fire at the U.S. Clairton Coke Works. This next phase of funding follows two recent public engagement sessions where community members weighed in on the impact of previously funded projects and helped shape the priorities for future investments. These sessions also offered insights into the updated application process and what to expect in future rounds. “As I said when U.S. Steel agreed to settle related to the 2018 Christmas Eve fire, this investment is a win for the people of Allegheny County and the Mon Valley. I’m happy that ACED is working with the community to put this money into projects that deliver on clean air and economic development goals,” County Executive Sara Innamorato said in a press release Monday. “Our commitment to this region is rooted in listening to those who live and work here,” said ACED Director Lauren Connelly. “The steps we’ve taken—from the building awareness to awarding the funds—has been informed by community voices. These grants are more than investments in public health; they’re investments in the people and places that make the Mon Valley what it is.” Funding must be directed toward initiatives that support public health with an emphasis on air quality improvement and mitigation efforts within the Mon Valley communities surrounding U.S. Steel’s Clairton, Edgar Thomson, and Irvin facilities. Projects must demonstrate a clear and measurable impact on local well-being. The fund cannot be used for lobbying or advocacy, and applicants with any past legal action against U.S. Steel, or those utilizing experts who have testified against the company, are not eligible to apply. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in and serving Mon Valley communities including: Braddock, Clairton, Glassport, East McKeesport, Elizabeth Borough, Elizabeth Township, Forward, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, Dravosburg, McKeesport, Port Vue, Liberty, Lincoln, West Mifflin, Braddock, North Braddock, East Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Versailles and North Versailles. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. May 23. Organizations can submit applications through the County’s online portal at  Allegheny County Economic Development's Application Portal .  Please select the “Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Fund” when applying. You can read about the first round of funding awards here.

The Allegheny County Board of Health on Wednesday approved a transfer of $490,605 from the Clean Air Fund  to go toward the Air Quality Program’s operating budget - one that ended 2024 with a nearly $550,000 shortfall. Here’s the slide presented at the meeting: Officials were clear: They didn’t want to ask for the 5 percent of the fund that county air quality rules say they are authorized to take each year. But they needed to.  Why?  Because the current permit fees imposed on industry are not sufficient to cover the costs of administering the program. ( More on that here . ) And, more importantly, because Allegheny County Council has failed to vote on an updated fee schedule that would fully fund the Air Quality Program. (And more on that here .) So, what now?  Now we go en masse to the next Allegheny County Council meeting and let them know that thanks in part to their inaction, Clean Air Fund dollars that could have gone to community environmental projects instead will be used to help pay for the program. As a reminder, the vote on these updated permit fees (slated months ago) should have been a true no-brainer. The proposal was robustly supported by the Air Pollution Advisory Committee, the Allegheny County Board of Health and by scores of public commenters (GASP included). It was even affirmatively recommended by Allegheny County Council’s own Health and Human Services Committee, where it was inexplicably kicked back for further consideration. Meanwhile, amazingly we, the general public - still have no real idea what the opposition is. When we ask, we get fed lines like, “Welp, we just don’t have enough information.” Or, “Welp, that one fee looks kinda high to me.” And to that, friends, we call bullshit.  This issue has been in the spotlight for MONTHS. Council has heard from countless air quality groups, residents, public officials, and even the experts they count on to advise them on these technical matters. All have basically said, “Greenlight this bad boy already.” At this point, we can only assume that it’s either arrogance or ignorance (or a dangerous mix of the two) leading a contingent of council members to be potential “no” votes.  Listen, we know this isn’t the first time (or even the second time!) that we’ve asked yinz to come raise a little hell over these permit fees - but will you join us at the next Allegheny County Council meeting?  Full council is slated to meet this upcoming Tuesday, March 25 and we’re trying to pack the room and send the message: They need to approve the fee schedule changes to fully fund our air quality program ASAP. If you want to join us at the meeting and address council, click here to register to comment. If you’d like to send council a written message letting them know you support the fee schedule changes and encourage them to vote YES on the proposal,  click here. Editor’s Note: Have questions, need more info, or help crafting comments? We’re here to help! Hit up our communications manager Amanda Gillooly at amanda@gasp-pgh.org .

The air quality watch dogs here at GASP want to express our sincere gratitude to Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. lulia Vann for swiftly fulfilling her promise to increase accessibility to Board of Health meetings. During the Wednesday board meeting, Dr. Vann announced two significant changes: Virtual Public Comment:  She told the board that moving forward, residents will be able to participate in meetings and present public comments virtually. When you click on the online form to address the Board of Health now, you may choose whether you want to do so in person or via Zoom. This is a crucial step toward ensuring all voices are heard, regardless of location or personal circumstances.  Exploring New Meeting Locations and Times:  Recognizing the challenges of attending meetings downtown during weekdays, Dr. Vann announced that ACHD is actively exploring alternative locations and meeting times for 2025. This proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to making participation more convenient and inclusive for all residents. These changes are exactly the type of common-sense actions GASP has been advocating for years. Increased accessibility and transparency are essential for a truly effective and accountable public health department.  “We applaud Dr. Vann's leadership and her continued commitment to engaging with the community,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We truly look forward to continued collaboration with ACHD to improve public health outcomes for Allegheny County and ensure that all residents have a seat at the decision-making table.”