We know that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County suffer from pollution. Air quality — especially in the Mon Valley — is among the worst in the nation. That’s largely due to industrial facilities like U.S. Steel, which frequently violates air quality standards.
The Allegheny County Health Department is the government agency charged with enforcing laws that protect our health. But (ironically) the Health Department gets funding for its actions from “air permit fees” paid by U.S. Steel and other polluters.
Now, Allegheny County Council is debating whether to raise these air permit fees. I urge council members to vote “yes.” Allegheny County residents deserve clean air and a clean environment. It’s essential that the Health Department has the money it needs to protect us.
Ten council members need to support the fee increase, but so far only eight do. That needs to change.
Let’s contact our county council representatives (find districts at alleghenycounty.us/Government/Departments-and-Offices/County-Council/Council-Districts) and tell them: “Protect our air. Fund the Health Department. Increase permit fees.”
Maya Fischhoff
Squirrel Hill