Allegheny County Council Public Hearing on Climate Action Plan - September 18, 2024

This public hearing was convened by the Allegheny County Council to allow the community and invited experts to comment on the development of the county's first Climate Action Plan. The hearing featured presentations from the Director of Sustainability, climate experts, and representatives from Erie County, followed by extensive public testimony. The council heard calls for an inclusive, equitable process that centers environmental justice communities, addresses industrial emissions, and includes a community task force with real decision-making power. No votes were taken; the hearing served as a formal input-gathering session.

Invited Guest Presentations

• Brittany Pershak, Director of Sustainability – Outlined the planning process, including a request for statements of qualifications released in June and full proposals due on the day of the hearing. The county has three sustainability staff and is hiring additional positions. The plan will review existing regional plans, conduct a gap analysis of county operations, and develop strategies for mitigation and resilience across multiple sectors. The process is expected to take about a year.
• Dr. Patricia DeMarco – Emphasized the urgency of climate change and recommended setting a net-zero emissions goal by 2050. She urged the county to phase out fossil fuels, coordinate the climate action plan with the comprehensive plan, and serve as a convener for data access and procurement. She cited Forest Hills’ success in reaching net-zero for borough operations.
• Dr. Matt Mahalik, Breathe Project – Stressed the need for a justice and equity lens, including the most vulnerable in planning. He noted that industrial emissions account for 47% of regional climate emissions, with the Mon Valley Works emitting 62% of Allegheny County’s industrial CO2. He cited a study estimating 640–1,373 annual deaths from particle pollution in the county, with higher mortality in low-income communities and communities of color.
• Josh Wilson (Director of Sustainability, Erie County) and Dr. Susan Clark – Described Erie County’s community climate action plan, developed over 18 months with 100 volunteers, 70 public meetings, and 10 working groups. The plan was unanimously adopted by the Erie County Legislature in February 2024. They highlighted success in winning a $5.2 million tree canopy grant, attributing it to partnerships built during the planning process.
• Queen Ansari, Valley Clean Air Now – Shared a personal story of a severe asthma attack that led to a coma. He called for the climate action plan to address major industrial polluters in the Mon Valley, citing high rates of asthma, cancer, and heart disease. He invoked the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment and urged the council to act boldly.

Council Questions & Discussion

• Councilmember Palmieri asked about the consultant selection process and staffing capacity. Pershak confirmed two full proposals were received and that an internal evaluation team would review them, with support from multiple county departments.
• Councilmember Nikari called for transparency, a dedicated website, and a dashboard to track progress. She emphasized the need to include environmental justice communities and to integrate existing data from Connect and the health department. She also asked whether the consultant would engage with community groups already working on climate issues.
• Councilmember Cafaro raised questions about the county’s legal authority to regulate municipalities. Pershak responded that the plan would focus on county operations but also provide leadership and guidance, especially through the upcoming comprehensive plan. Erie County’s representatives noted their plan similarly sets vision without mandating municipal action.
• Councilmember Macy and others expressed support for the process and highlighted the importance of education and community engagement.

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 30 members of the public testified, representing community organizations, advocacy groups, and residents from across the county. Common themes included:

• Call for a Community Task Force: Many speakers urged the creation of a climate action plan task force with a majority of members from environmental justice communities, people of color, low-income residents, and other marginalized groups. They requested that the task force have real decision-making power in developing, funding, and implementing the plan.
• Equity and Inclusion: Speakers stressed that the plan must center those most affected by climate change and pollution, including Black and brown communities, indigenous peoples, immigrants, youth, and people with disabilities. Several noted that current environmental spaces are predominantly white and called for intentional outreach and compensation for community participation.
• Addressing Industrial Pollution: Multiple speakers highlighted the need to reduce emissions from the Mon Valley Works and other industrial sources. Statistics were cited showing Allegheny County ranks in the top 1% for cancer risk from air pollution, and that children near fracking sites are 5–10 times more likely to develop lymphoma.
• Ban on Fracking: Several residents called for a countywide ban on new fracking and a phase-out of existing fossil fuel infrastructure, citing health impacts and methane leakage.
• Funding and Budget: Speakers urged the council to allocate resources in the 2025 county budget for the task force and for the Department of Sustainability’s staffing needs. They emphasized that the budget is a climate issue.
• Youth and Education: Youth advocates and educators stressed the importance of involving young people in the planning process and ensuring that climate education is provided in schools, especially in underserved communities.
• Transparency and Urgency: Many speakers called for swift action, noting that the county has been slow compared to other cities and counties. The science of climate change demands bold, immediate steps.

Key Outcomes

• The hearing was a formal opportunity for public input; no resolutions or votes were taken.
• The county will proceed with evaluating the two consultant proposals received and select a vendor to lead the climate action plan development.
• Council members expressed support for an inclusive, transparent process and for creating a community task force. The exact structure and authority of such a task force will be determined in future discussions.
• The county’s sustainability department will continue existing efforts, including energy efficiency upgrades and environmental justice grants, while the planning process unfolds over approximately one year.
• Several council members indicated they would consider incorporating community task force recommendations into the 2025 budget and the forthcoming comprehensive plan.