PennFuture responds to air quality standard attainment in Allegheny County

“PennFuture understands the desire to share good news that, for the first time ever, all air quality monitors in Allegheny County have met federal air quality standards, but this is only a small step on a mountain of progress that needs to be made,” said PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo. “Residents across the region have struggled for years to get the Allegheny County Health Department to take seriously its role as a regulator, and to prioritize the needs of local residents above those of corporate polluters. In addition, our frontline communities in the Mon Valley still suffer very real health consequences daily from pollution from U.S. Steel's old and antiquated coking operations. Until the health department routinely holds polluters accountable for their actions, and until everyone in Allegheny County can breathe clean air on a consistent basis, there is no reason to celebrate.”

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PennFuture is leading the transition to a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania, fighting big polluters with legal muscle, enforcing environmental laws, and supporting legislative policy that protects public health. PennFuture is engaging and educating citizens about the realities of climate change, and giving them the tools needed to influence lawmakers on the issues. Visit www.pennfuture.org for more information.

Contact:
Jared Stonesifer
Director of Media Relations
stonesifer@pennfuture.org
412.456.2372