Tackling pollution

I work in behavioral health, doing community-based work; while out in the field, I have first-hand experience seeing and smelling the impact of air quality problems across the region. I’ve been able to smell pollution the moment I get onto the upper bridge deck via the Fort Pitt Tunnel. I’ve seen reduced visibility while driving around, from smog clinging to the air over our region. I’ve seen the “drift” effect via regular use of the Smell Pgh app. But worst of all, I’ve seen many people have respiratory emergencies across the region on poor air quality days. This environmental injustice further impacts local quality of life.

The Clairton Coke Works is a significant offender, operating without a permit for about five years ( since 2017). Although the proposed new permit has some benefits, there is room for improvement. I’d suggest adding:

• A requirement for real-time monitoring of sulfur dioxide pollution, and

• Inclusion of 1-hour emissions limits for sulfur dioxide (to avoid big spikes in pollution over short periods of time).

I urge Allegheny County to lower pollution limits to ensure the Clairton Coke Works isn’t emitting at unsafe levels, to require U.S. Steel to develop and implement a plan to bring the facility into full compliance with its Clean Air Act requirements, to require realtime sulfur dioxide pollution monitoring, to include 1-hour sulfur dioxide emissions limits, and to set an enforceable deadline for U.S. Steel regarding plans to close the three oldest coke oven batteries by May 1, 2023.

ALYSSA E SNYDER

Carnegie