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JOE’SCORNERREGULATIONIS NOTA DIRTYWORD

Thereare approximatelythirty-fivecoal-firedpowerplants inPennsylvania,constantlyspewingpollution into

ourair. Fornearlytwo-hundred years, muchof America’s energy wascreatedby burning coal. Thisyear,the

industryis finallybeing requiredto internalize thecosts ofthe pollutiontheycreate ratherthan imposingthose

costsontothe communities surrounding theplants anddownwindareas.

TheU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)has proposedor finalizedthree importantruleswhich will

reduce pollutionfrompower plants thathave hadsuch a devastating impact on public health andthe environ-

ment. The Mercury Air Toxics Standards requires,for thefirst time,emission limits onmercuryand other

toxic airpollutants fromtheseplants. The CrossStateAir PollutionRule will require morestringent controls

onemissionsthat formozoneand fineparticle pollution, which travel longdistances andinterferewiththe air

quality indownwindstates. Finally, laterthis year, theEPA willfinalizeperformancestandardsfor greenhouse

gasesfrompower plants, which generateapproximately40% ofthe United States greenhousegas emissions.

On a morelocalnote,the EPAgranteda NewJerseypetitionlastyear which requestedemission reductionsfrom

thePortlandGenerating Station locatedin Pennsylvania because itspollution is interfering withNew Jersey’s

abilityto meetair qualitystandards.

Regulation became a dirtywordin 2011. Regulations,for themost part,are simply a mechanismto ensure

thatcompanies internalize thecosts oftheir waste. Becauseof concerns forpublichealth,it became illegalfor

individuals tothrow theirwastein thestreet in themid-1800s. Why, then,shouldit continueto be acceptable

forindustryto spewtheir wasteintopublicairwaysand waterways andforce communities topick up thecost in

theform ofenvironmentaland public health degradation?

Industryhas opposed the Cross State AirPollutionRule, the Portland Rule, andthe Mercury Air Toxics Standards

incourts. TheCleanAir Councilhas legallyintervened onthe sideof theEPA inupholdingthese important

public health protection rules. Therules willhavedrasticimpacts. In Pennsylvania,for example,the Mercury

AirToxics Standardsalone will prevent 530prematuredeathswhile creating$4.4 billionin health benefitsin

2016. Therules relyupon proven andwidelyavailableemissioncontroltechnologies. Meeting theserequire-

mentswillcreatejobs forAmerican workersbuilding,installing,and operatingemissions controlequipment.

Furthermore, therules willallowtrulyrenewable energy sources tobe morecompetitiveby removingwhat is

effectivelya subsidy forfossilfuelsby allowingthem toimpose theirpollutioncosts on communities ratherthanpowerplant owners.

Joe Minott is the Executive Director of Clean Air Council

CleanAirCouncilis lacingup forits31stannual5K RunforCleanAirandEarthDayCelebrationonSaturday April21, 2012. Locatedonthe beautifulbanks oftheSchuylkillRiver in Philadelphia, theeventis a celebrationof sustainableandhealthy neighborhoods, cleanair,and improvements in theregion's overall environmentalhealth.

Thereare someexcitingaddi-tions tothisyear’s Run. Forthefirsttimein recenthistory,theCouncil willbe awarding substantialcash prizesto thetop5K Runfin-ishers. And, inadditionto theusualtimed5K Run, a 3KWalk hasbeenaddedso thateveryone canpartici-pateand supportClean AirCouncil’sprogramsthat protect everyone’s rightto breathe cleanair. Alsonewfor 2012, platinumsponsorSCA willbe providingfree reg-istrationto allparticipants 60and over.

“The CleanAir Council hassuchan importantmissionandSCAis excited tobe sponsoring their5K RunforCleanAiragainthis year,” saidAmy Bellcourt,vice president of commu-nications for SCA intheAmericas. “We hope theeventgrowsevenlargerby includinga walkcomponentand we’redelightedto beprovidingfreeregistrationto allexperiencedrunnersandwalkers whoare 60and over.”

The5KRunfor CleanAir wasnamed a top“FamilyFunEarthDayRun”in 2011 byActive.com. TheRun, certifiedbyAthletesfora FitPlanet,provides reusableracebags,plantable seed-paperrace bibs,a bicyclevalet service, recyclingandcompostingof all waste,and manyother greenfeatures.Allrace dayguests andparticipants areencouragedto walk,bicycleor rideSEPTApublictransit.

Eventregistrationand informationare available atwww.5krunforcleanair.org. Formore informationon the5KRunfor CleanAir,contactKatie Edwards [email protected] 215-567-4004 x102.

Who’s thattaptap tappingat the

frontdoor? Itmaywellbea memberof

theCleanAir Counciloutreachteam!

Much of the Council’s programmatic

successhingeson havinga supportive

andengagedmember base, which

would notbe possiblewithoutthe

door-to-doorcanvass. Thecanvassersare essentiallythe ambassadorsof the

Council,outevery eveningand night inall kinds ofweatherto informpeople

ofthe environmental issuesthreatening publichealthand howthe Councilis

addressingthoseissues. Thecanvassmotivatespeople tobecomemembersand

getinvolved. Havinga large andcommittedmemberbaseprovidesfundsand

active volunteersthat helpto keeptheCouncilgoing.

Sonext timeyouhear thatknockon thedoor—meetthe canvasser andmake

a donationto theCouncil. Thecanvasshashelpedthe Councilincrease its

membershipto 8,000 which hasallowed theCouncil tofile lawsuitsin support

ofits members’health,increase itscloutwithelectedofficials, anddo grass roots

organizing in environmental justiceneighborhoods. For more informationaboutthe canvass,contact MartinHage at [email protected]

or 215-567-4004x118.

News and

Information for

Members of

Clean Air Council

Spring 2012

1

2

3

4

In this issue:

Since 1967, Protecting Everyone’s Right to Breathe Clean Air

Philadelphia Office135S. 19thStreet,Suite300

Philadelphia, PA19103

215.567.4004

Harrisburg Office107N. FrontStreet,Suite113

Harrisburg,PA17101717.230.8806

Wilmington Office100W.10th Street,Suite607

Wilmington,DE 19801

302.691.0112

For four decades, members of

Clean Air Council have made a

difference in Pennsylvania and

Delaware, helping everyone to

breathe a little easier. Members

receive quarterly issues of Fresh

Air, action alerts, and invitations

to special events and the annual

5K Run. Please send your

comments to Joe Minott,

Executive Director.

Thinking about a bequest?

Consider leaving a gift to

Clean Air Council in your will.

Learn more by calling 215.567.4004, ext. 116.

Executive Director

Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.

Staff

Thurm Brendlinger

Mike Brown, Esq.

Jay Duffy, Esq.

Katie Edwards

Katie Feeney

Martin Hage

Hollin Kretzmann

John Lee

Will Margrabe

Jamie McClammer, Esq.

Max Ojserkis

Abby Poses

David Presley, Esq.

Matt Walker

Canvass StaffKamali Busch

Sophia Cifonelli

Will Fraser

Rosa Michnya

Heather Parker

Steve Ross

Brett Thiffault

Jim Woodend

NONPROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PHILADELPHIA, PA

PERMIT NO. 6602

Electrification at TrinityDistribution Services

Knock Knock

Member Spotlight:Heather M.Gee

MountAiry residentHeather

M.Geeis DeputyDirector of

Development forCity Year

Greater Philadelphia,which

recruitsand trains young adults

as tutors, mentors, androle

models in highneed,high risk

schools.And that’s justher

dayjob.

Withmorethan a decade’sexperience helping

people navigatetheir philanthropicjourneys at

ThePhiladelphiaFoundation,she recentlylaunched

herown consultancy,GPS Philanthropy, and

continuesto advise ongivingin a morefocused

andpowerfulway.

Afteryearsof helpingothersfigure outwhat is

importantto themand howto makethe greatest

impact, Geerealizedwhat’simportant toher.

“Clean airis vital…you’re helpingus survive,”

shesays oftheCleanAirCouncil. Shesuggests

membersconsiderthe CleanAir Council as a

beneficiary ontheir lifeinsurance, retirementplan,

andwill. With“a focusedapproach…youcan leave

a lifetime legacy throughthe CleanAir Council,”

Geesays. “Thinkaboutwhata difference you

canmake!”

Volunteers, Interns &

Part-time StaffRuchita Acharya

Grethchen Alfonso

Peter Barnard

Gail DiBerardinis

Tom Duncan

Norm Feldman

Abby Heirtzler

Merv Kline

Amelia Lenke

Sean McCormick

Chris Mizes

Chelsea Perkins

Steve Ross

Dennis Winters

Board of Directors

Jeff Aldi, Treasurer

Russ Allen, President

JJ Biel-Goebel

Patrick Feeley, Vice President

Renee Gilinger, Secretary

Louise Giugliano

Jessica Krow, Vice President

Josh Meyers

David Mindel

Evan Pappas

Herbert Patrick, MD

Laren Pitcairn, President Emeritus

Tricia Sadd

Carrie Sargeant

Laura Stein

Jay Tarler

Scan with a QR reader togo directlyto ourwebpage

www.cleanair.org

In thefallof 2011, theCleanAir Councilworkedwiththe DelawareDepartment

of NaturalResources and Environmental Controland Trinity DistributionServices

toreplacethe highlypollutingdieselgeneratorsusedto powertheir refrigerated

cargo containerswith 20electrifiedoutlets. Construction wascompletedon

December1, 2011.

Theprojectwasfundedby DuPont,which,in order toobtainapprovalto build

newpollutingequipmentin Delaware’scoastal zone, wasrequired under thestate’s

CoastalZone Actto offset130% ofthe proposedemissions. Thus, DuPontwas

responsiblefor payingto offset22 tonsof NOx.

Theremovalof thedieselgenerators isexpectedto

eliminate upto 120tonsof harmfulair pollutantsannu-

ally. Additionally, thenew outletshave eliminatedthe

diesel fumesand noise pollutionassociatedwith the

diesel generators. By workingto remove a source of

pollution thatis harmfulto public andenvironmental

health,the Councilhas helpedto improvethe overall

qualityof lifein thesurrounding community. Formoreinformation on the Council’s transportationand ports

initiatives, contactAbby Posesat [email protected]

or 215-567-4004x108.

Councilmemberand

philanthropy expertHeatherM. Gee.

Break Out Your Running Shoes

CleanAirCouncildoor-to-doorcanvass.

Break Out Your Running Shoes

Electrification at Trinity

Distribution Services

Knock Knock

Making Citizen Voices Heard

Moving Beyond Coal

Safer Sidewalks

Up in Smoke

Legal Update FRACK ATTACK

Cleaner Cars on the

Road Ahead

Member Spotlight:

Heather M.Gee

Joe’s Corner

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CleanAir Councilandour partnersin theMulti-state

Alliance toPromote Lasting Energy (MAPLE) welcomedthe

announcement that,afterdecadesof spewingair andwater

pollution,GenOn Energy willbe shutting downthe

PortlandGeneratingStationin UpperMt. Bethel,

Pennsylvaniain January,2015. TheGenOnowned

PortlandPlantisone oftheoldestanddirtiestcoalplantsin

thecountryand hasbeen causing healthand environmental

problems throughoutthe LehighValleyin EasternPennsylvaniaand NorthwestNew Jersey forover 50years.

In2009 alonethe plantemitted2,396,431tonsof carbon

dioxideaswellas 30,701tonsof sulfurdioxideand3,496

tons ofnitrousoxide. GenOnwillalsobe closingtheNew

Castle, Shawville,and Titusplantsin Pennsylvania.

GenOn’sdecisioncomes afteran EPArulingon October

31,2011thatrequiredtheplanttoreduceitssulfurdioxide

emissionsby 81%in3 years. Therulingwasin responseto a2010lawsuitby thestateof

NewJerseyafter researchshowed thatthe plant’s airpollutionthat blowsover statelinesis

causing seriousair qualityproblemsto Warrenand Sussexcounties. Ratherthanclean up

theplant’spollution,on January 6th,GenOnfiled a petition against theEnvironmental

ProtectionAgency askingfor a reviewof theEPA’s decision to limitsulfur dioxidepollu-

tionfrom thePortlandcoal-firedpowerplant.

OnFebruary2, localfamiliesaffectedby pollution fromGenOn Energy’sPortland

GeneratingStationgatheredwith CleanAir Council, SierraClub andGreenpeacein front

of theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency’s regional headquarters to announcetheir intent

tojointhefightagainsttheenergy giantby interveninginthe lawsuitonthesideof EPA.

OnFebruary29th, GenOnannouncedthe plantclosings. Burningcoalfor energy is

notcheapwhenthecostto publichealthis factoredintotheequation. TheCouncilurges

GenOnto bringclean,renewableenergysourcesto Pennsylvania. Formore information

on theCouncil’scoalprogram,contactKatie Feeneyat [email protected].

JoinCleanAirCouncil,themostactivelocally-basedenvironmentalorganizationin PennsylvaniaandDelaware,with8,000memberscommittedtothe region'scleanairfuture.

Sendthisformalongwithyourtax-deductiblecontributionto:

Clean Air Council

135 South 19th Street, Suite 300

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Name

Address

City State Zip

Phone E-mail

Pleasechargemycreditcard: G MasterCard G VISA G American Express

Card # Exp. Date

Signature

2 3

M E M B E R S H I P F O R M

Membership Services may be reached directly at 215.567.4004, ext . 107.

Or become a member instantly by going to www.cleanair.org

Acopyof theofficialregistrationandfinancialinformationmaybeobtainedfromthePA DepartmentofStateby calling

800.732.0999.Registrationdoesnotimplyendorsement

Yes, I want to protect our air!

G $40 IndividualG $60 Family

G $150 Sustaining Supporter

G $250 Patron

G Other amount $__________

Making Citizen Voices Heard

Cleaner Cars on theRoad AheadOn January 19th, Clean Air Council joined with regional environmental allies

and concerned citizens to advocate for cleaner American cars at a public hearing in

Philadelphia held by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over 100 people testified at

the Philadelphia hearing in support of the agencies’ proposed standards to increase

fuel efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions that threaten public health and

contribute to climate change. In America, passenger cars and light trucks emit

approximately 1.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year. These vehicles are

responsible for 20 percent of U.S. carbon emissions and 40 percent of U.S. oil

consumption.

The Council is very pleased that a major action is finally being taken to decrease

carbon pollution in America. Joe Minott, Clean Air Council Executive Director,

testified that strengthening the fuel efficiency of vehicles to this degree will have

significant and far reaching effects; it will save individual consumers thousands of

dollars on gas, slash harmful greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the nation’s depend-

ence on oil, and ensure that America’s automotive industry will remain among the

most competitive in the world. According to EPA, the new standards will reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 960 million metric tons, save 1.8 billion

barrels of oil, and save American consumers $80 million at the pump. The Council

believes this one action is a huge win-win for public health and the econom y. For

more information on the Council’s global warming program, contact Katie Feeney

at [email protected] or 215-567-4004 x112.

Up in SmokeIn January, Clean Air Council, in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts’ LowellCenter for Sustainable Production and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University,held a workshop on the environmental and public health impacts of burning biomass.Biomass refers to wood and other biological materials that are burned to generate heat andpower. Pennsylvania’s biomass industry is expanding rapidly, and it is important that thehealth effects of this fuel source are understood by regulators, policy makers, public healthofficials, and the general public. The workshop focused specifically on the health effects of burning wood biomass. Approximately 25 experts and environmental advocates from across

the Northeast gathered to discuss burning biomass in small, residential burners as well as inlarge, industrial units. Presentation topics included how different sizes and types of particu-late matter are created, the correlations between different health impacts and the size and

make-up of particulate matter, and current developments in biomass in Pennsylvania.The Council’s workshop was a first step in better understanding the health implicationsof expanding the use of biomass as a source of energy. For more information on the Council’sbiomass work, contact David Presley at [email protected] or 215-567-4004 x122.

Clean Air Council has hosted f ive community workshops focused on the

natural gas development decision-making process. At these workshops,

residents learned how natural gas operations i mpact environmental and

public health, how to track and report air emissions, how to write com-

ments that generate public hearings, and how to testify at public hearings

on proposed permits.

As a result of these workshops, the Council has successfully facilitated

five commenting campaigns that pressured the Pennsylvania Department

of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) to host five public hearings on

proposed permits. Prior to these campaigns, PA DEP only received one or

two comments for each permit. Thanks to the Council’s workshops and the

residents’ efforts, the PA DEP received an average of 50 comments for each

proposed permit. PA DEP cited the large quantity and quality of com-

ments submitted as the major reason for deciding to hold the hearings.

Additionally, PA DEP recently sent a “Comment and Response Document”

to the Clean Air Council and to residents who submitted comments on a

permit application for a compressor station. This response document

included two improvements to the Plan Approval that will help protect

public health. One change deals with requirements to optimize engine

performance and implement practices that prevent large releases of methane

during equipment changes. The second change requires the company to

perform emissions tests about every 100 days rather than once a year.

These are big wins for public health advocates such as the Council and

area residents.

This month, the Council will give workshops in Luzerne, Tioga, and

Bradford Counties. The Council is also working with residents of Butler

County and the Group Against Smog and Pollution to hold a community

workshop there in April. Janet McIntyre, a resident of Butler County who

is experiencing the harmful health effects of nearby natural gas operationsfirst-hand, is helping to organize the spring workshop.

“You can’t be outside more than 10 minutes,” McIntyre reports.

“You get massive headaches, your eyes are red, your lips turn tinny-tasting.

I lived here 20 years and never had an issue until they (natural gas compa-

nies) came to town. If it’s hot and you’re outside, it feels like your skin is

burning and is going to crawl off you – i t’s bad.”

Legal Update

PA DEP provides notice and a comment opportunity on a proposed issuance or

modification of a general permit. However, once the general permit is finalized,

a stationary source which fits within the conditions of the general permit would

be able to submit an application and PA DEP would be able to take action on

the application within thirty days of receipt with no public notice or

opportunity for input.

PA DEP and the Marcellus Shale industry have become more and more reliant

on the GP-5. Citizens are increasingly outraged and fearful due to the lack of

transparency and public input with respect to the GP-5 permitting process.

In response, the Council will work with experts and natural gas communities

this spring to push PA DEP to substantially strengthen the GP-5’s requirements

during this current comment period.

• PA DEP has begun collecting information from Marcellus Shale operators in order

to complete an emissions inventory. An emissions inventory allows states to proper-

ly track progress in meeting air quality standards and set policy. To date,

Pennsylvania’s emissions inventory has not included emissions from Marcellus

Shale operations. After reviewing PA DEP’s requests for information from the

operators, the Council alerted PA DEP to a category of sources associated with

Marcellus Shale that was not included, and it will continue to oversee the

process to ensure that an accurate inventory is compiled.

• Under pressure from the Council and local community members, PA DEP has

held public hearings for air pollution permits for five natural gas compressor stationslocated in Allegheny, Susquehanna, Lycoming, Sullivan and Bradford counties.

These hearings have allowed the public to provide necessary input and have led

to more stringent requirements in the air pollution permits.

Air pollution is a serious problem associated with the fracking operations taking

place across the state, but citizen involvement and Council pressure has the

power to promote positive change and increased protection of the air we all

breathe. For more information on FrackAttack, the Council’s Marcellus Shale

initiative, contact Jay Duffy at [email protected] or 215-567-4004 x109.

Last October, the Clean Air Council launched the FrackAttack Initiative with

the goal of reducing air pollution from Marcellus Shale operations.

FrackAttack’s goals are to push for a complete emissions inventory of Marcellus

Shale operations, repeal of major permitting exemptions, proper permitting,

meaningful air monitoring, and enforcement of permits. Pennsylvania

Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has recently made a num-ber of announcements which flow either directly or indirectly from efforts taken

under the Council’s FrackAttack Initiative. While there is a lot of work to be

done, the following developments are a good start!

• PA DEP is looking into leasing land in Bradford County for the first ozone smog

monitor near Marcellus Shale operations. Historically, ozone was formed primarily

in urban areas, so ozone monitors have been concentrated in and around cities.

But with a large number of natural gas related air pollution sources dotting

rural Pennsylvania, there are concerns that ozone levels will increase but will not

be accounted for due to the lack of monitors in rural areas. This spring the

Council will be pushing PA DEP to include the monitor in Bradford County

along with others near Marcellus Shale operations in their 2013 Air Monitoring

Network Plan.

• PA DEP is currently preparing a long-term, comprehensive Marcellus Shale air

sampling study. PA DEP has performed three short-term ambient air sampling

reports, but they were of limited scope and duration and therefore were not

comprehensive. While PA DEP continues to point to these studies as proof that

the air pollution associated with Marcellus Shale is not dangerous, a long-termcomprehensive study is imperative to determine the amount of pollution

Pennsylvania’s citizens are exposed to, and the Council will continue to push for

the full study.

• PA DEP has released and requested public comments on modification to General

Permit 5 (GP-5), open until May 2. In accordance with Pennsylvania law, PA

DEP may issue a general permit for any category of stationary air pollution

source if they determine that sources in the category are similar and can

be adequately regulated using standardized specifications and conditions.

The GP-5 authorizes the construction and/or operation of natural gas facilities.

Clean Air Council Outreach Coordinator Matt Walker hosts a workshop to teach

citizens in the Marcellus Shale region how to make their voices heard.

McIntyre reported air quality complaints to PA DEP and to Rex

Energy, the gas company that owns the equipment, but has not been

satisfied with the response. “I’ve been totally ignored by Rex and PA

DEP as far as my air complaints. I’ve gotten a comment from a DEP

field agent that maybe I ought to stay inside if my air smells so bad.

As long as the gas company is going to keep denying and the DEP is not

going to take me seriously, what else do I have left? What else can I do?

It’s very frustrating.”

The Council will address these issues and other community concerns

at the upcoming workshop by equipping residents with the informationand skills they need to pressure PA DEP and gas companies to ensure

that currently operating and forthcoming gas equipment is properly

regulated and that companies are using the strictest emission control

technologies possible. For more information on the Council’s natural gas

community workshops, contact Matt Walker at [email protected]

or 215-567-4004 x121.

Safer SidewalksIn mid-January Clean Air Council co-sponsored the monthly Urban Sustainability Forumheld at the Academy of Natural Sciences with a presentation and panel on improvingwalkability in Philadelphia. The Council’s Executive Director, Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.,welcomed more than 300 people in attendance as well as speakers from the fields of urban

design, city and regional planning, sustainable communities, and bicycle and pedestrianadvocacy.

Presentations included ways cities can and have changed transportation planning toimprove safe travel on foot—from sidewalk construction and maintenance, to making tran-sit more accessible, to reducing the speed of vehicular traffic. The questions asked by theaudience also provided a great deal of information on how pedestrians could benefit from

a greater focus on their needs.As a follow-up to the January forum, Clean Air Council will be re-establishing a

project to advocate on behalf of pedestrians in Philadelphia. As the principal sponsor of PhillyWalks almost ten years ago, and with its years of work promoting alternative meansof transportation, the Council is the obvious choice to lead this effort. For more informationon the Council’s walkability initiatives, contact Dennis Winters at [email protected] 215-567-4004 x115.

Clean Air Council's Joseph Otis

Minott (Executive Director) andNick Rogers (Groundhog) stand

outside EPA Region 3 office (onGroundhog Day) to show support

for rules that limit toxic emissions

from coal-fired power plants.

Moving Beyond Coal

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