Neighbor News
Episodic Weather Regs Need to Be Clearer, Stronger
GASP joined fellow environmental advocates and residents to tell the Allegheny County Health Department to beef up regs.
The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) on Wednesday presented verbal testimony at a public hearing regarding Allegheny County’s draft episodic weather regulations. The hearing, which was held online, featured numerous speakers who shared their concerns about the rules and recommendations to make them more protective of public health.
Here’s what our staff attorney Ned Mulcahy presented at the hearing:
Good evening. My name is Ned Mulcahy and I am speaking on behalf of Group Against Smog and Pollution. Later tonight we will be submitting formal written comments on the proposed Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode – along with a copy of this testimony. In January 2020, ACHD announced it would: “propose a new air quality regulation in 2020 aimed at emission mitigation requirements for industry operating in the county during weather-related pollution episodes.”
Considering all that’s happened between then and now, we want ACHD and the Air Quality Program to know how much GASP appreciates their efforts. As for the regulation itself, GASP is largely in support of its approach and aims. EPA’s first air pollution episode regulations were published in 1971. A guidance document published at that time reasoned that: “[s]ince stagnant air masses will prevent dilution of pollutants, the only feasible method for protecting society is to minimize the flow of pollutants from emitters.”
Continues on GASP website.