GASPalerts Action and News from Group Against Smog and Pollution

JOIN OUR LIST (http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102402694952) IN THIS ISSUE _Clean Construction Press Event_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK26) _Newest Member of AQTAC_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK53) _PA DEP Marcellus Studies_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK51) _WTAE Looks at Marcellus_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK46) _GASP Appeals Coal Plant's Permit_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK54) _State Grants to Clean Diesel_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK56) (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... H6gz1lFlsKNUSf7wh-8BeE6upBIs6_RHVThFBN_RW-dTSuTYkn3qjDwzjZ_Tcz3go34tzGm28qq8 YiPsSm5Y9P_g2t9MIPbn85IUvQa-g==)

(http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... Vn8vjiDG9L14tZIvipY6EhiPhfTh5cGGm0qA==) February 11, 2011 Help GASP Push for Clean Construction in Pittsburgh Join GASP, Clean Water Action, and other partners on Thursday, February 17th at 10 AM at the _Hill House_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... EBBhwo3eWEjnWJCALQTBJdC9PMmYqwIT8YzLgXecoLJs93X7givu9zTK6_013wYAIglygQI_pb_wj3t59BTCZhA8NM5lYZ4bOev2SDI9EnzzzOQi8Lq7g_ aKGDpU13RGFBBDGv1khzw_KOwbZcIg8q-CMb3i069gILwMlEeDZSeRM6qU-hHExEIupbzSzbI4bY XbU4qHOAAMcw==) as we hold a press conference to draw attention to the health effects from diesel emissions and the Clean Construction legislation being considered by City Council. This legislation would require that large construction projects receiving public subsidies would have to use cleaner construction equipment. The bill is the final one in a trilogy of bills introduced by a broad coalition of labor, faith, environmental, and community groups. Learn more _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... XocDQ-7JTQWigtOeH3Ka_DJx7aWBckBJsT3PcbFlirWEgzMq-P9nvrqWbOxYaWM3qu9Bi7fLXFp5 ygl1Un13Px7iYrp511qVgoBI7_4-VDxGDiF4dLzgju8KNLQAGVAqJV5SkZk94fW) , and for further information about the event or to RSVP, contact _gasp@gasp-pgh.org_ (mailto:gasp@gasp-pgh.org) . GASP's Legal Director Named to DEP Committee Joe Osborne, GASP's Legal Director, has joined the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee (_AQTAC_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... V2PzfEVm5RBeA-FYUq78NaFcEXL-kkxsV9r-qsSaBaV6pfGYB5Tis-aTu9sYtExwDfSFF2ZfmjT_ JseI8erpYljG4HzOtzhxIKHpvwCa8blx15Z1XWk=) ). This committee provides advice to PA DEP on impacts of existing, new, or proposed revisions to state regulations and policies concerning air. The naming of Joe to this committee is a great honor, and a testament to his hard work and thorough knowledge of air issues in PA.

Kudos, Joe! Marcellus Air Pollution: What PA DEP's Studies Really Say PA DEP recently released two reports which looked at air emissions from Marcellus activity in two parts of the state. While DEP took care to explain that these reports were short-term snapshots, most media sources have been saying "DEP Says No Problem with Marcellus Drilling" or some variation of that theme. Read _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... R4zyMRFGEY-2Y8No2wVdQS7UFv8ItNfCl0qkbfKE4Je2CVlxuHIHzB7xXO7SNVulAD69is5WEWqy EAf0lv8rCqIduTHMalKsYzhlMfPdMpLS2CyEBAWH6P0Prxed6R8ZLGY5PCUOFticsIvvLlfz0FY1 oeX2HNuelJihSn) why DEP's studies do not say that no problems exist, and how further studies can be improved upon. Marcellus Air Pollution, Part Two: WTAE Looks at Emissions from Marcellus Industry WTAE's Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons sat down with our Legal Director recently and got his take on emissions from Marcellus Shale activity. While burning natural gas is cleaner than burning coal, the Marcellus industry has the potential to emit massive amounts of air toxics like benzene, and ozone precursors, such as NOx. See the video report _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... FlsmsYRXAihTBxJalzFX8BWiR5AcqtBnGqzi0q6MgtOmraaDmYJ0vEsOqtfwuU0hlO0KGJj6RYIy LHRlKrXmOf0Ikcy1USeHbC7VPcRW3NGJUSup3174w1-DsvLJrTCvQa7zIgA==) , and visit our _website_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... cwrymEaZ0kSFiZ7j58EFzm-KOQOvXobIObWctvd2qf72w--pPM6lenXz5YeuGB4PCwsdm3KwLRJa s38Mg==) to get more information on GASP's work in the Marcellus play. GASP Asks EPA to Reject Operating Permit at Cheswick Power Plant At the end of January GASP and PennFuture filed a petition with the U.S. EPA, challenging the Title V Operating Permit for the coal-fired Cheswick Power Plant owned by GenOn in Springdale, PA. GASP and PennFuture identified numerous problems with the permit. For instance, it does not include limits on mercury emissions. It does not include certain requirements that were part of the permit given for installation of the new scrubber. And it does not require sufficient monitoring to demonstrate that the plant's emissions control devices operate effectively. Read the full petition _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... 3X7givu9zTK6_013wYAIglygQI_pb_wj3t59BTCZhA8NM5lYZ4bOev2SDI9EnzzzOQi8Lq7g_aKG DpU13RGFBBDGv1khzw_KOwbZcIg8q-CMb3i069gILwMlEeDZSeRM6qU-hHExEIupbzSzbI4bYXbU 4qHOAAMcw==) , and stay informed of the latest news by visiting the _Coal Project_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... ZWy9q6dDulCFZIvX0fKQMfFeaN10q_aAm-gg4gdLOt8eBrxSBrnxZH) page on our website. More Money Available to Clean Up Diesel PA DEP is announcing their Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant Program, which aims to reduce diesel pollution from transit and school bus fleets. The program will support projects that retrofit, re-power, or replace fleet vehicles to lower emissions of pollutants; purchase and install idle reduction technology; or purchase alternatively-fueled fleet vehicles. Search on the words "clean diesel" at DEP's _website_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... 44_4uyZrHV6Ej04FbHXUB9_cQq2b5f7PrpCEsRPD6yJk4CuxgaGVM6PwQ==) for more information. Help us to be as effective as possible by becoming a member or renewing your membership today. Over the last forty-one years, through education, advocacy, helping to set regional and local environmental policy, and at times entering into litigation, GASP has made a positive impact on our region's air quality and environment. Help us to continue this important work in 2011.

Gift memberships also available!

Membership details and instructions for donating can be found _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e... bWLafCPAuK-yGRJHnEMHrEWuR486KPrzRUplEnNVY2S-8PkQmuQQSEW4kRyI6-ntVuKvRW5q5VmB baqH9aKo9elhbXV8ArJNASfl9DcP5wmiz-m-F39T) .

We appreciate your participation on the GASPalerts email list. Working together, we can make a difference in our region's environment. We won't trade or sell your address with other organizations or inundate you with mailings. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Group Against Smog and Pollution