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Senate, House Democratic Policy Committees Hear Testimony On Improving Air Quality In Allegheny County

On February 7, an overflow crowd of steel workers and concerned citizens attended and gave testimony to a joint Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees’ hearing on ways to improve air quality, community notification procedures and emergency response in Allegheny County..

The hearing was held at the Clairton City Hall at the request of Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Austin Davis (D-Allegheny).

It was prompted by a December 24, 2018, fire at the Clairton Coke Works that resulted in emissions of high levels of sulfur dioxide and damage to the facility’s gas processing system.

“We need to see to it that air quality standards are properly monitored, and that local emergency response and community notification procedures are accurate and timely,” Sen. Brewster said. “To accomplish this goal, we must bring together officials from U.S. Steel, the Allegheny County Department of Health, local governments, labor organizations and emergency responders. We need to both address air quality issues and protect good paying jobs in the industry.”

Rep. Davis added, “Improving the air quality in our communities is my top priority. I appreciate the testimony of all stakeholders. As we look to improve air quality it’s imperative that we look for effective ways to do so.”

The hearing was jointly chaired by Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) and Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster)..

“Being raised in the shadow of the Bethlehem Steel plant, I am well aware of the seriousness of air quality issues and how communities such as Clairton must balance an economic reliance on good industrial jobs against health and environmental issues,” Sen. Boscola said.

Rep. Sturla added, “I thank Representative Davis for bringing this important issue to the House Democratic Policy Committee’s attention. This joint public hearing helps ensure that all perspectives are heard as the legislature looks for effective ways to improve air quality.”

U.S Steel, which operates the Clairton plant, said it is committed to keeping the coke works operational and doing more to improve its environmental efforts.

Chris Masciantonio, who serves as Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy for U.S. Steel, said, “The Mon Valley community is more than just the company’s home; it’s our company’s birthplace and where our employees work and live. The safety of our employees, our partnering contractors and our neighboring communities is paramount to our efforts.”

Masciantonio argued that placing the plant on hot idle, as some environmentalists have urged, would be a lengthy, difficult and costly process.

Don Furko, who serves as president of the United Steelworkers Local #1557, added, “Simply put, if U.S. Steel ends up idling batteries, our members will lose their jobs. This will begin a chain of events that will have a devastating impact on them, their families and our communities across the Mon Valley.”

Members of environmental organizations and Dr. Deborah Gentile of Pittsburgh testified that residents of the Mon Valley have been exposed to pollutants for decades. They said the pollution level and related health threats were compounded by the recent fire and emission exceedance.

Some of the environmentalists called for greater U.S. Steel efforts to comply with health and safety dictates and reduce pollution discharges. They also called on the Allegheny County Department of Health to step up monitoring, enforcement vigilance and provide more responsive public notification when problems arise.

Allegheny County is responsible for controlling air pollution in the county, not the Department of Environmental Protection.

Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the county health department, said the department has already ramped up its enforcement efforts. She said her agency has imposed direct enforcement orders and civil penalties. She said the department’s expanded legal team has also stepped up inspections, toughened penalties and collaborated with state and federal environmental enforcement agencies.

“The department will continue to be proactive and aggressive to improve air quality in our county, as our actions indicate,” she said. “We will continue to improve our communication via our current strategies through additional opportunities such as mobile phone applications and direct communication with citizens, municipal leaders and legislators.”

The hearing follows a January 22 public meeting in Clairton. Sen. Brewster, Rep. Davis and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) and Austin Davis (D-Allegheny) were also updated on January 25 by officials from the Allegheny County Health Department.

Joining Senators Brewster, Boscola and Costa at Thursday’s hearing were Senators Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny). In addition to Representatives Davis, Sturla and Kortz, Representatives Summer Lee, Ed Gainey, Dan Miller, Brandon Markosek and Sara Innamorato (all D-Allegheny) attended.

Those who testified included:

Panel from U.S. Steel Corporation--

-- Chris Masciantonio, Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy

-- Mike Rhoades, Plant Manager, Clairton Coke Works

-- Tishie Woodwell, General Manager, Environmental Affairs

-- Kurt Barshick, General Manager, Mon Valley Works

-- Jim Futrell, Vice President of Market Research and Analysis, Allegheny Conference on Community Development

Panel from Allegheny County Health Department--

-- Dr. Karen Hacker, Director

-- Jim Kelly, Deputy Director for Environmental Health

-- Michael Parker, Solicitor

-- Dr. LuAnn Brink, Chief Epidemiologist