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Residents and advocates urge council to approve higher industrial air permit fees to fund county program
Summary
Public commenters at the Jan. 28 Allegheny County Council meeting urged support for an Allegheny County Health Department proposal to raise permit fees on large industrial polluters to cover a nearly $1.85 million budget shortfall in the county's Title V air permitting program.
Allegheny County Council heard public appeals on Jan. 28 to approve proposed increases to industrial air-permit fees so the Allegheny County Health Department can fully staff and operate its Title V air permitting program.
Advocates told the council the department is underfunded and that higher fees on major polluters are needed to address a backlog of permitting and enforcement work. "The health department's operational budget shortfall of nearly $1,850,000 threatens the health of Allegheny County residents," said Jay Ting Walker, outreach coordinator for the Clean Air Council.
Walker said the fee adjustment would require industrial operators to cover a larger share of the costs of permitting and enforcement. "An adequately funded department is critical…
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