Black Appalachian Coalition Urges Allegheny County Health Dept. To Hold US Steel Accountable, Protect Community Health, From Clairton Coke Works

On November 7, the Black Appalachian Coalition is asking the public to sign a petition asking the Allegheny County Health Department to hold US Steel accountable for the emissions from the Clairton Coke Works Plant.

This week, leaders from extractive industries are gathering in Pittsburgh to discuss how to perpetuate our reliance on fossil fuels. In response, Archbishop Marcia Dinkins,  Executive Director of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC), released the following statement-- 

“The world leaders in these industries are gathering to talk about how they can make more profits as they continue to use fossil fuels to pollute our communities. 

“One of the sponsors of this summit is U.S Steel (USS). USS owns the largest manufacturer of refined coal (coke) in North America, the Clairton Coke Works Plant. 

“The EPA recently stated that the Clairton plant Title V permit violates the emission standards set by the Clean Air Act. 

“The EPA ordered Allegheny County to rewrite or justify the emission limits on its Title V permit for the Clairton plant. 

“Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) is working with Clairton residents to hold U.S. Steel accountable for rewriting the permit. We are collecting petition signatures from impacted residents and neighboring communities in Allegheny County. 

“We urge the Allegheny County Department of Health to create a compliance schedule with opportunities for public input and hearings on the Title V permit. 

“Clairton is a low-income community and one of the state’s environmental justice communities as designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

“In Clairton, nearly 40% of residents are Black, concentrated near the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant. According to the U.S. EPA, the company emits close to 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. 

“The airborne byproducts of coke production include fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). 

“Many of the Black residents are disproportionately affected by particle pollution and related illnesses, including asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease.”

Visit the Black Appalachian Coalition for more information.

Upcoming Events - DEP Environmental Justice Policy:

-- November 16-- Virtual.  DEP Hearing On Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy. Noon to 2:00 p.m. Persons wishing to reserve time to present testimony at a meeting must contact Jennifer McLuckie at (717) 772-5633 or RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.  Read more here.

-- November 28-- DEP Hearing On Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy. Howard J. Burnett Center, Washington & Jefferson College, 292 East Wheeling St., Washington, Washington County.  6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Persons wishing to reserve time to present testimony at a meeting must contact Jennifer McLuckie at (717) 772-5633 or RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.  Read more here.

-- November 30-- DEP Hearing On Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy. La Toxica Event Space, 1447 Lehigh St., Allentown.  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. Persons wishing to reserve time to present testimony at a meeting must contact Jennifer McLuckie at (717) 772-5633 or RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.  Read more here.

Resource Links:

-- DEP To Hold Last 3 Hearings On Interim Final Environmental Justice Permit Review Policy  [PaEN] 

-- Spotlight PA: DEP Has Updated How It Defines An ‘Environmental Justice Area;’ Here’s Why That Matters For At-Risk Communities

Upcoming Events

-- University Of Pittsburgh Studies Of Shale Gas Development Health Impacts To Be Discussed At Nov. 14 Joint Meeting Of DEP Citizens Advisory Council, Environmental Justice Advisory Board  [PaEN]

-- PA League Of Women Voters, University Of Pittsburgh Graduate School Of Public Health Nov. 14 Shale Gas & Public Health Conference  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Outside Coal & Steel Conference, Residents Rally Against Pollution In Pittsburgh

-- WPXI: Environmental Groups Rally For Environmental Justice At Coke, Coal & Steel Industries Conference In Pittsburgh

Related Articles This Week:

-- National Environmental Justice Art Campaign - We Refuse To Die - Launching In Pittsburgh Area  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Health Project: Gov. Shapiro Must Acknowledge Health Risks Of Natural Gas Development And Take Meaningful Action To Protect The Public  [PaEN] 

-- Physicians For Social Responsibility PA: Gov. Shapiro's Announcement With CNX Does Not Go Far Enough In Protecting Public Health And The Environment From Natural Gas Development  [PaEN]

-- TribLive Editorial: Is Shapiro's Voluntary Agreement With CNX The Right Move For Gas Well Safety?  'We Do Not Trust Foxes To Guard Henhouses'  [PaEN]

[Posted: November 8, 2023]  PA Environment Digest