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TAG | air pollution
38 Stories
U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant, the largest coke works in North America, in Clairton, Pa. Photo: Reid R. Frazier
April 21, 2021 | 5:22 PM

Pittsburgh’s air improving, but still gets an ‘F’ from American Lung Association

The Philadelphia, Lancaster and Berks County areas also received poor grades; the Harrisburg area received passing grades. 

By Reid Frazier
US Steel's Clairton Coke Works, near Pittsburgh. Photo: Reid R. Frazier
March 22, 2021 | 5:20 PM

Group worries that new air pollution permit could allow Clairton coke works to pollute more

A company spokesperson said the purpose of putting in new pollution controls is to improve the efficiency of the pollution collection system, not to increase coke production

By Reid Frazier
US Steel's Clairton Coke Works.
January 26, 2021 | 7:35 PM

For the first time ever, Allegheny County meets federal air quality standards

Stricter enforcement credited with drop in pollution
By Reid Frazier
The Homer City power plant in Indiana, Pa.
December 22, 2020 | 8:12 PM

Groups sue EPA over PA coal plant air pollution in Indiana County

Spikes at coal-fired power plants could be allowed under EPA-approved plan
By Reid Frazier
Water vapor rises from a coal powered power plant stack. Pollution from burning coal affects a larger area than vehicle emissions.
December 7, 2020 | 7:35 PM

EPA declines to strengthen soot standard

The federal agency went against the advice of its own scientists who said the standard needed to be lowered.

By Reid Frazier
Water vapor rises from a coal powered power plant stack. Pollution from burning coal affects a larger area than vehicle emissions.
September 1, 2020 | 6:31 AM

Clean air laws helped the U.S. reduce air pollution. But hotter days brought by climate change could reverse those gains

More heat will make American cities smoggier
By Reid Frazier
Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale, Pa.
August 28, 2020 | 5:09 PM

Federal judges throw out ‘gaping loophole’ in Pa.’s coal pollution plan

Judges: Coal plants could ‘evade’ ozone rules with Pennsylvania regs
By Reid Frazier
The Brunner Island coal-fired plant located on the west bank of Susquehanna River.
April 28, 2020 | 6:32 AM

Ex-EPA official: Rollback of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards ‘forshadows what’s to come’

By Reid Frazier
This photo taken May 5, 2014 shows the stacks of the Homer City Generating Station in Homer City, Pa. Three years ago, the operators of one of the nation’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants warned of “immediate and devastating” consequences from the Obama administration’s push to clean up pollution from coal. Faced with cutting sulfur dioxide pollution blowing into downwind states by 80 percent in less than a year, lawyers for EME Homer City Generation L.P. sued the Environmental Protection Agency to block the rule, saying it would cause a painful spike in electricity bills and grave harm to power producers like itself.
April 21, 2020 | 10:11 AM

American Lung Association’s latest air quality report claims climate change will make it harder to protect health

Pennsylvania areas showed some improvement in the report, but air quality in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas remains poor.

By Rachel McDevitt
April 14, 2020 | 4:45 PM

DEP reaches agreement with Range Resources over Washington County air violations

Emissions from two well pads qualified as 'major source' from 2013 to 2015
By Reid Frazier
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