Everyone has a right to clean air and water. These are fundamental rights needed to live a dignified life. Yet, residents in Clairton and other Mon Valley communities struggle to breathe all too often thanks to air pollution emanating from U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works - one of the largest coking operations in the United States. 

Fortunately, the EPA has sided with environmentalists and residents, granting objections to the Clairton Coke Works Title V Operating Permit. In fact, the EPA ordered ACHD to ensure the permit includes a compliance schedule and other remedies to ensure the plant's compliance with clean air laws.

The EPA decision to object to the permit gives us an opportunity to ensure that the voices and concerns of residents long impacted by industrial air pollution.

These voices are especially needed in Clairton, which is an environmental justice area here in Allegheny County - one that's in the top 1 percent for cancer risk from point-source air pollution. In Clairton, nearly 40% of residents are Black, concentrated near the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant. Many of the Black residents are disproportionately affected by pollution and related illnesses, including asthma and cancer. 

Championing environmental justice requires meaningful input from the people whose health and quality of life will be most impacted by operations at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works.

It is imperative that ACHD Air Quality Program leadership not only commit to hosting a public hearing regarding any proposed changes to the permit but also to convening an educational session in Clairton. This type of meeting would allow residents there to better understand the permit and how - and why - they should participate in the public comment process.

While formal hearings allow residents to provide comments, they do not allow conversation and interaction between officials and residents. Sign this petition to urge ACHD to provide this important opportunity for public engagement and input.