Top News for Pittsburgh & Western Pennsylvania

How toxic PFAS chemicals could be making their way into food from Pennsylvania farms

Editor's note: This story is part of an ongoing collaboration between Environmental Health News and PublicSource on PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania and was funded in part through the Bridge Pittsburgh Media Partnership.

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Sparse turnout in Greene County for hearing on proposed coal waste facility

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — For decades, Duncan Horner has enjoyed the panorama of rolling valleys and farmhouses on drives from his house in Pittsburgh to his farm in Richhill Township in Greene County

www.post-gazette.com

Coal-fired power plant putting too-hot water into river, groups say

The Sierra Club is threatening to sue the owners of a coal-fired power plant near Pittsburgh for releasing water that is too hot into the Allegheny River.

stateimpact.npr.org

Climate mayors ask Congress for help on transportation

"We have to do this together," mayors tell Senate committee.

www.curbed.com

Speakers cite health hazards linked to petrochemical industry

An environmentalist and a physician, who spoke in Wheeling Tuesday, paint a dire picture of health impacts of the petrochemical industry, including oil and gas fracking and ethane cracker plants.

www.theintelligencer.net

U.S. poised for dramatic spikes in extreme heat

If no action is taken on climate change, Florida by mid-century could see the heat index soar higher than 100 degrees for almost one-third of the year.

www.usnews.com

PWSA set to replace lead lines this week in several city neighborhoods

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority announced Monday that it is planning to replace lead service lines in several communities this week.

www.post-gazette.com

Cleanup continues after Beaver County chlorine leak, fires

The whiffs of chlorine can still occasionally be detected with the sensitive nose in Rochester, but the Department of Environmental Protection says there is no risk.

pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

How Karen Hacker worked to resuscitate the Allegheny County Health Department

Hacker, the county's highest paid employee with a salary of more than $220,000, said she thinks she should be judged on the progress she's helped to usher in, including reduced lead poisoning in children, fewer opioid overdose deaths and a steady decline in air pollution that is on the verge of coming into compliance with the law.

www.publicsource.org

Watershed moment: “Ephemeral” streams debate could reshape Ohio Valley waterways

Farmers and miners worry about regulation but scientists warn a Trump administration change to clean water rules could threaten miles of waterways.

ohiovalleyresource.org

Report: Pennsylvania had record year for natural gas production

Pennsylvania had a record year for natural gas production in 2018, the state Department of Environmental Protection said on Wednesday.

triblive.com

Toby Rice wins control of EQT after proxy battle

Less than two years after selling their company to EQT, the Rice brothers are back and in charge.

www.post-gazette.com

From slag to shopping: Century III Mall was part of an industrial recycling project

Century III Mall literally occupies a unique place in the Pittsburgh region — and a role in an early industrial recycling project.

www.post-gazette.com

Health Department opens US Steel's $2.7 million settlement for public comments

90% of the money will towards a community benefit fund for the surround areas, while the 10% will go towards the clean air fund.

www.nextpittsburgh.com

Erie Coke faces 2 legal fights to stay open

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has adopted dual strategies to shut down the frequent environmental violator.

www.goerie.com

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Thousands of tons of foreign steel used at Shell cracker plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania

The Shell cracker plant in Beaver County is one of the largest construction projects in the country, using massive amounts of steel. Action News Investigates has learned much of that steel was imported—mostly from China.

www.wtae.com

Allegheny CleanWays removes 11,300 pounds of trash from Allegheny River

Volunteers collected 11,300 pounds of trash from the Allegheny River and its shorelines during 16 cleanups held in June from Millvale to Freeport, according to the nonprofit Allegheny CleanWays.

triblive.com