US-Steel-Air-Pollution-1100842
In the aftermath of yet another fire at the aging US Steel Clairton Coke Works facility near Pittsburgh, community members and organizations collaborating with the Breathe Project hosted a press event calling for clean air on June 20, 2019 at the base of the historic US Steel building in downtown Pittsburgh.
Here is a press release from the Breathe Project setting the stage for the event:
### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2019
Contact: Debra Smit, 412-760-7677
dsmit@breatheproject.org
Clairton, Mon Valley, Squirrel Hill Residents and Environmental Activists to Hold Press Conference on the Doorstep of U.S. Steel Tomorrow
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Clairton, Mon Valley, Squirrel Hill residents and regional environmental organizations invite media to a press conference outside the USX Towers on Thursday to send a clear message to U.S. Steel that #EnoughisEnough.
U.S. Steel must stop unlawful levels of pollution at the Clairton Coke Works from making Allegheny County residents sick – and one of the worst places in the United States to breathe. U.S. Steel must also commit to reinvesting in the Clairton Coke Works and repair its reputation as a chronic polluter.
Thursday, June 20, 2019 - Noon
U.S. Steel Towers, corner of 6th and Grant streets
Speakers
Melanie Meade, life-long Clairton resident
Jaden McDougald – Clairton resident
Patricia Amstead-Daniels, a retired nurse living in the Mon Valley, Glassport, Pa.
Howard Reiger, Squirrel Hill resident, past president/CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater
Pittsburgh
Ruth Fauman-Fichman of Squirrel Hill, an anthropology professor at University of Pittsburgh
Rachel Filippini, executive director, GASP
The press event will express the lack of response from U.S. Steel and public health concerns of many in the region. “U.S. Steel has been an air pollution problem child for the past five decades—continually skirting permit requirements and failing to comply with clean air laws while posting record profits,” said Rachel Filippini, executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP). ACHD, Allegheny County Council and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald need to hold U.S. Steel accountable for the air pollution that local community members have had to endure for decades.”
“Enough is enough!” said Patricia Amstead-Daniels, a retired nurse living in Glassport. “It’s time for U.S. Steel to make an investment in the Clairton plant and fix this problem.”
“U.S. Steel is again showing the community that they have not made the proper investments in running a safe plant in Clairton. Both Allegheny County and US Steel should make cleaning up the Clairton Coke Works their number one priority moving forward. We need to hold off on any permits for US Steel to build new projects until they reduce pollution from the Clairton Coke Works,” said Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania Director for Clean Water Action.
On Tuesday night, Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi appealed to Allegheny County Council, asking for help in addressing the pollution coming from the U.S. Steel plant. Lattanzi is unable to attend tomorrow’s event, but made the following statement: “There are a lot of people in Clairton who have respiratory illnesses. I myself have cancer,” said Lattanzi. “I’m not going to blame anybody or point fingers, but statistics show that there are higher rates of cancer and respiratory illnesses in Clairton and the Mon Valley. We deserve help from county officials.”
The Breathe Project will also thank those elected officials who stand in solidarity with the residents of the Mon Valley and support action on the part of U.S. Steel to clean up the region’s air:
o Sen. Jay Costa: "The Clairton Coke Works is a known, ongoing violator of air pollution standards. The facility has been fined over $4 million, even prior to the most recent violations following the fire. While the plant has taken steps to reduce emissions violations, it must do more and quickly.
o Rep. Sara Innamorato: “Two fires in six months. Our neighbors deserve better and our workers deserve better. #EnoughisEnough: we need protections that put people first.”
o Rep. Summer Lee: “ANOTHER fire at Clairton Coke works. Another incident putting health of residents in the Mon Valley at risk. Another opportunity to pretend it’s not that bad. Mon Valley is in an environmental crisis right now! We need bold political AND labor leadership. Wonder who will stand w/me?”
o Sen Jim Brewster: “We’ve seen a recurring problem with this plant, and it’s time to address it. I have concerns about the health and welfare of the employees that work at this plant, in addition to the people who live in this region. The Mon Valley needs to be kept informed about the air quality so that our health doesn’t suffer.”
o Rep. Austin Davis: “#EnoughisEnough! Disappointed/frustrated that the efforts by U.S. Steel have again come up short! They MUST make proper investments in their existing infrastructure to bring Clairton Coke Works in to compliance with Clean Air standards!”
#
US-Steel-Air-Pollution-1100842
In the aftermath of yet another fire at the aging US Steel Clairton Coke Works facility near Pittsburgh, community members and organizations collaborating with the Breathe Project hosted a press event calling for clean air on June 20, 2019 at the base of the historic US Steel building in downtown Pittsburgh.
Here is a press release from the Breathe Project setting the stage for the event:
### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2019
Contact: Debra Smit, 412-760-7677
dsmit@breatheproject.org
Clairton, Mon Valley, Squirrel Hill Residents and Environmental Activists to Hold Press Conference on the Doorstep of U.S. Steel Tomorrow
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Clairton, Mon Valley, Squirrel Hill residents and regional environmental organizations invite media to a press conference outside the USX Towers on Thursday to send a clear message to U.S. Steel that #EnoughisEnough.
U.S. Steel must stop unlawful levels of pollution at the Clairton Coke Works from making Allegheny County residents sick – and one of the worst places in the United States to breathe. U.S. Steel must also commit to reinvesting in the Clairton Coke Works and repair its reputation as a chronic polluter.
Thursday, June 20, 2019 - Noon
U.S. Steel Towers, corner of 6th and Grant streets
Speakers
Melanie Meade, life-long Clairton resident
Jaden McDougald – Clairton resident
Patricia Amstead-Daniels, a retired nurse living in the Mon Valley, Glassport, Pa.
Howard Reiger, Squirrel Hill resident, past president/CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater
Pittsburgh
Ruth Fauman-Fichman of Squirrel Hill, an anthropology professor at University of Pittsburgh
Rachel Filippini, executive director, GASP
The press event will express the lack of response from U.S. Steel and public health concerns of many in the region. “U.S. Steel has been an air pollution problem child for the past five decades—continually skirting permit requirements and failing to comply with clean air laws while posting record profits,” said Rachel Filippini, executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP). ACHD, Allegheny County Council and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald need to hold U.S. Steel accountable for the air pollution that local community members have had to endure for decades.”
“Enough is enough!” said Patricia Amstead-Daniels, a retired nurse living in Glassport. “It’s time for U.S. Steel to make an investment in the Clairton plant and fix this problem.”
“U.S. Steel is again showing the community that they have not made the proper investments in running a safe plant in Clairton. Both Allegheny County and US Steel should make cleaning up the Clairton Coke Works their number one priority moving forward. We need to hold off on any permits for US Steel to build new projects until they reduce pollution from the Clairton Coke Works,” said Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania Director for Clean Water Action.
On Tuesday night, Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi appealed to Allegheny County Council, asking for help in addressing the pollution coming from the U.S. Steel plant. Lattanzi is unable to attend tomorrow’s event, but made the following statement: “There are a lot of people in Clairton who have respiratory illnesses. I myself have cancer,” said Lattanzi. “I’m not going to blame anybody or point fingers, but statistics show that there are higher rates of cancer and respiratory illnesses in Clairton and the Mon Valley. We deserve help from county officials.”
The Breathe Project will also thank those elected officials who stand in solidarity with the residents of the Mon Valley and support action on the part of U.S. Steel to clean up the region’s air:
o Sen. Jay Costa: "The Clairton Coke Works is a known, ongoing violator of air pollution standards. The facility has been fined over $4 million, even prior to the most recent violations following the fire. While the plant has taken steps to reduce emissions violations, it must do more and quickly.
o Rep. Sara Innamorato: “Two fires in six months. Our neighbors deserve better and our workers deserve better. #EnoughisEnough: we need protections that put people first.”
o Rep. Summer Lee: “ANOTHER fire at Clairton Coke works. Another incident putting health of residents in the Mon Valley at risk. Another opportunity to pretend it’s not that bad. Mon Valley is in an environmental crisis right now! We need bold political AND labor leadership. Wonder who will stand w/me?”
o Sen Jim Brewster: “We’ve seen a recurring problem with this plant, and it’s time to address it. I have concerns about the health and welfare of the employees that work at this plant, in addition to the people who live in this region. The Mon Valley needs to be kept informed about the air quality so that our health doesn’t suffer.”
o Rep. Austin Davis: “#EnoughisEnough! Disappointed/frustrated that the efforts by U.S. Steel have again come up short! They MUST make proper investments in their existing infrastructure to bring Clairton Coke Works in to compliance with Clean Air standards!”
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