AIR TOXIC GUIDELINES (ATG)
Background
Industries in Allegheny County emit hundreds of toxic chemicals. More toxic chemicals are released in Allegheny County than in Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties combined! The health of the residents of Allegheny County is at stake. Some of these toxic chemicals can cause serious health problems, like cancer, birth defects, and developmental problems. We have seen speaks in asthma and cancer rates in recent years and this past year and a half we have received 8 different reports saying more needs to be done to improve our air.
The ACHD has an obligation to protect the health of the citizens of Allegheny County – the new guidelines will further that obligation. The current guidelines were established in 1988, making them over 20 years old. We need updated standards to properly protect our health.
This is not a revolutionary effort. Louisville, KY was faced with the exact same situation. Six years ago it was Louisville that found itself on the wrong end of air quality reports. The difference between them and us is that they took a stand and reversed their course. Today their city is better off and winning awards from the EPA because of it
What will the new ATG do?
- The ATG requires any new or expanding plant proposing to emit toxic chemicals will be required to go through a screening for whether the chemicals they emit will harm residents.
- There are exemptions for small businesses emitting small quantities of chemicals.
- Big pollution sources will be required to take into consideration nearby existing pollution sources when determining if a new permit should be allowed. We sometimes refer to this as a “cumulative impact”.
- The ATG will not affect any existing source of pollution in Allegheny County, unless they need a permit to expand and increase their pollution.
Timeline of Progress
Spring 2009:
Clean Water Action, Industry, and Health Department’s Air Program update the Air Toxic Guidelines (ATG).
5 municipalities pass resolutions in support of updated (ATG).
Summer 2009:
Board of Health votes against updated (ATG) and tables issue indefinitely.
Residents write letters to the editor and send hundreds of postcards to the County Executive in support of new ATG.
Winter 2010:
In the face of mounting pressure the County Executive orders the Board of Health to revisit the issue by creating an ad hoc committee. Committee has yet to meet.
Spring 2010:
The Board of Health’s Special Air Toxic Guideline Committee holds first meeting. The committee is comprised of 19 members with varying backgrounds.
What You Can Do
Contact County Executive Onorato (412-350-6500)
Tell him: We can’t afford further delays. We need the Board of Health’s ad hoc committee to address air quality issues by expediting the process and passing an updated version of the Air Toxic Guidelines now!
STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (SIP)
Background
The Mon Valley has suffered from poor air quality for a long time causing increased asthma and cancer rates. In 2005 the EPA declared the Mon Valley out of attainment with the Clean Air Act. It required the Allegheny County Health Department to develop a plan to improve the air quality. In January, 75 Mon Valley residents attended a public hearing to ask the health department to give them the best plan possible. The health department ignored them. Instead they approved a plan that only meets the minimum standards and will improve air quality by 2015, if nothing goes wrong. The plan is now off to the EPA for final approval. Clean Water Action is working with residents to get Congressman Doyle and the EPA to address our concerns and provide the Mon Valley with the best plan possible.
Timeline of Progress
2005:
EPA says Liberty-Clairton has bad air. Requires county to create plan to meet to improve air quality.
2007:
EPA gives deadline of 2010 to submit plan.
2009:
5 different reports say cancer & asthma rates are rising and more must be done to improve air quality.
Fall 2009:
County introduces plan and requests an extension of 2015 to show attainment.
2010:
70+ turnout for hearing in Clairton. They call for a plan that:
- makes major reductions instead of meeting minimum standards
- makes improvements sooner than 2015
- shares responsibility among all area industries.
Board of Health approves clean air plan that doesn’t address these concerns.
Clean air plan must next be approved by EPA before it goes into effect.
What You Can Do
1. Contact Congressman Doyle (412-261-5091; http://doyle.house.gov/email_mike.shtml)
Tell him: If the Mon Valley is to have a strong future we need the best clean air plan possible. Help us make sure the EPA addresses our concerns before approving the plan.
2. Write to EPA Regional Director Shawn Garvin and invite him to come to the Mon Valley area to hear directly from residents of the Mon Valley the concerns they have with the plan.
USA EPA Region 3 Philadelphia, PA 19103
