ACHD public hearing on Synthomer Plant

Synthomer is one of two major sources in Allegheny County that still has never been issued a Title V Operating Permit, despite ACHD regulations that provide that such a permit should have been issued by the end of 2003 (the other is ATI Brackenridge Works).

To catch up briefly: Once upon a time, a LONG time ago, the facility was caught violating numerous air pollution regulations, and subjected to a December 2011 consent order in federal court that required it to do:

• comprehensive emissions testing on all of its sources of air pollution

• submit the results of that testing to the Allegheny County Health Department and the EPA for review

• apply to ACHD for an installation permit for each source after receiving EPA approval of the test results

• and – once all sources were under installation permits – apply for a Title V operating permit.  

We are pleased to report that the long, long delay is coming to an end – the light at the end of the tunnel has finally come into view,” GASP Senior Attorney John Baillie said. “On March 14, 2024, ACHD published a draft Title V Operating Permit for Synthomer’s Facility and made it available for public comment.”