Industrial Air Pollution

We believe that everyone has the right to breathe clean air and live in a healthy environment. A variety of industrial air pollution sources such as fracking-related infrastructure, steel making plants, petrochemical plants, and hazardous waste sites threaten to violate that right. The Council devotes a substantial portion of its time and resources on stopping or reducing air pollution from these types of proposed or existing industrial facilities.

Oil and Gas

Every stage of oil and gas operations, from production and extraction to processing and distribution, releases air pollution that negatively affects public health and exacerbates the climate crisis. Clean Air Council calls for a rapid transition away from natural gas for electricity generation and plastics production, but also advocates for policies that address health and climate concerns right now.

Petrochemical Plants

Ethane, a byproduct of fracking, is a common raw ingredient in petrochemicals and plastics. So much ethane is being extracted in Pennsylvania that a new large-scale petrochemical plant has been constructed to process and refine the materials, and industry has discussed the possibility of even more. The Council calls for an end to new petrochemical facilities and a major reduction in single-use plastic products, improved recycling, and the development of non-fossil fuel-based plastics.

Steelmaking

The world’s top climate scientists have told us that we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero pollution from major industries. Air pollution from major industries impacts the health of southwest Pennsylvania residents, especially those in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The Council uses a combination of public education, community advocacy, and legal action to reduce harmful industrial air pollution from highly-polluting steel making facilities like the Clairton Coke Works.

Hazardous Waste

The natural gas, plastic, chemical, electric generation, and waste disposal industries can all generate hazardous waste that must be properly disposed of, sometimes at facilities that can create significant air pollution. Clean Air Council works with frontline communities and local governments to prevent hazardous industrial waste, oppose waste incineration in all forms, and advocate for extensive testing of waste streams to identify pollutants of concern.