Proposed natural gas power plant in Washington County asks state to withdraw permits

Reid FrazierOctober 8, 2021

The company that proposed the "Beech Hollow" gas power plant asked DEP to withdraw its air permits, a victory for environmentalists.

Energy

New report says central Pa. cities had worst air quality in 2020, calls for emissions cuts

Rachel McDevittOctober 7, 2021

Lancaster had the most unhealthy air days in 2020 in Pennsylvania with 107, while Harrisburg had 97 and Reading had 82.

Health

Allegheny County Health Department issues enforcement order against source of bad smell identified in September

Julia ZenkevichOctober 6, 2021

The stinky smell that hung over Pittsburgh was caused by a broken valve at the Neville Chemical plant. Nearly 1,000 pounds of hazardous air pollutants were released.

HealthPollution

Pittsburgh region saw about two months of unhealthy air days in 2020, study finds

Kiley KoscinskiOctober 5, 2021

Last year, Pittsburgh had 57 days of poor air quality, which is linked to heart and lung problems, cancer and premature death.

HealthPollution

U.S. Steel is trying to block Allegheny County’s new coke oven rules

Reid FrazierOctober 1, 2021

The new regulations target 'rotten egg' gas the plant has emitted dozens of times since 2020.

News

Allegheny County Takes Aim at Air Pollution During Inversions

Reid FrazierSeptember 24, 2021

A new rule calls for industries in the Mon Valley to develop plans to lower air emissions during inversions that trap pollution close to the ground.

HealthPollution

Group Sues to Stop Permit for New Natural Gas Power Plant

Reid FrazierSeptember 16, 2021

Clean Air Council contends the company should go through a new permitting process for a gas power plant in Washington County.

Energy

Mon Valley on Pace for Twice as Many Hydrogen Sulfide Violations as Last Year

Susan Scott PetersonAugust 4, 2021

The Clairton Coke Works is the biggest emitter of H2S in Pennsylvania and is "likely a substantial contributor" to the stinky toxic pollutant in the Mon Valley.

Climate ChangeHealthPollution

Town Hall Calls Attention to Pittsburgh Air Quality Problems

Julia ZenkevichJuly 29, 2021

This is the third meeting of residents who want stricter controls of air pollution that plagues the Mon Valley and other Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

HealthPollution

Environmental Groups Seek Pre-Trail Ruling Against U.S. Steel

Julie GrantJuly 2, 2021

PennEnvironment and Clean Air Council want a federal judge to find that U.S. Steel violated the Clean Air Act thousands of times after the 2018 Christmas Eve fire at the Clairton Coke Works.

Pollution