MONACA, PA (August 29, 2024) — In a powerful demonstration of global solidarity, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) is proud to announce an event that brings together two communities impacted by industrial pollution: Bhopal, India, and Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The event, titled “Eyes on Pollution: Bhopal to Beaver County,” will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Penn State Beaver in the Student Union Building Auditorium, 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA 15061.

The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal gas leak disaster, which remains the worst industrial disaster in history. For nearly four decades, gas-exposed communities in Bhopal have continued to face neurological disorders and generational birth defects. Today, more than 150,000 people in Bhopal are battling chronic illnesses, and 500,000 lives remain physically and economically harmed by the disaster. The International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB) has organized a U.S. tour of survivors who will present an account of how advocates have continued to persist for four decades.

“Victims of corporate crime, whether in Bhopal or Beaver County, often face a long, hard struggle for justice. Chemicals are treated as innocent until proven guilty, and affected communities are continually forced to prove that the toxic substances they are exposed to are responsible for their health impacts and diseases. It often takes decades to establish these links definitively, and by then, many of the original community members are already suffering the consequences. We are eager to build solidarity with the communities of Beaver County as they work to hold Shell and Norfolk Southern accountable for their actions,” said Rachna Dhingra of the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal.

Beaver County, Pennsylvania, has a long history of industrial pollution, largely tied to its role as a hub of manufacturing and industrial activity dating back to the 19th century. While regulatory efforts and the decline of traditional heavy industry have led to improvements, new challenges, particularly from the petrochemical industry, continue to pose risks to the environment and public health. “This event is more than just a conversation—it’s a call to action. Communities across the globe are forging new solidarities—across generations, cultures, and geographies—transforming pain into power. It’s truly an honor to bring these global advocates into our community and we will continue to uplift stories of survivors within this movement,” said Hilary Starcher- O’Toole, Executive Director of BCMAC.

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA — Yesterday, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) joined local school officials and clean air advocates to celebrate the $10.57 million federal investment to provide thirty-eight fully electric buses to school districts around Pennsylvania’s 17^th Congressional District. Specifically, the leaders spotlighted the $1.2 million for Moon Area School District’s purchase of six new vehicles.  

“I have a lot of fond memories of taking the bus from Thornburg to Ingram Elementary, but I also remember how awful the school bus smelled. We’ve got to do better by our kids and keep diesel fumes from filling their lungs,” said Congressman Deluzio. “I’m excited to see these new buses on the streets of Moon Township along with the Pine-Richland, Woodland Hills, and South Fayette School Districts. It’s a big win for our kids’ health, our climate goals, and this region’s air quality.”  

“Thanks to EPA’s Clean School Bus program, Moon Area School District students will soon have a safer, cleaner, and healthier ride to and from school,” said EPA Mid–Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “This $1.2 million investment from the Biden-Harris Administration will have a positive impact on not only the students, but also the bus drivers and anyone who lives along a route.” 

These electric buses support the work of improving air quality and protecting public health. Unfortunately, Western Pennsylvania is no stranger to the devastating effects of poor air quality. Air pollution is particularly harmful for the developing lungs of children and can result in multiple health problems, asthma being the most common. Health issues like asthma are a leading reason for school absenteeism. Replacing diesel school buses with all-electric school buses would help to improve air quality in PA and reduce children’s exposure to asthma-causing pollutants. 

Electric buses also help address the growing problem of climate change. Transportation is the third greatest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania. Most school buses run on diesel fuel, which emits harmful soot, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants that significantly worsen air quality. This announced funding will provide school buses that are fully electric, mitigating the effects of dangerous school transit.  

Additionally, depending on location, districts can spend less money on electricity costs than diesel fuel for the buses. There is evidence that electric school buses have a lower lifetime maintenance cost than diesel school buses, giving school districts extra room in their budget to spend on students, families, and teachers.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 29, 2024 2:17 P.M.  

(Aliquippa, Pa) Unis Demolition’s bid of $197,000.00 for a demolition project was approved. A bid from another firm for $179,000 was withdrawn even though they were the lowest bidder. Engineer Ron Rizzo said that Uni is able to handle the project. ARPA funds will be used to pay for the project.

(New Brighton, Pa) Road milling and resurfacing of various roads is scheduled to start the week of September 9.  As part of the 2024 road paving program the roads listed below will be milled and paved.

Work will be conducted during daylight hours and is anticipated to continue for several weeks. The schedule is tentative and subject to change depending on weather. Drivers should anticipate travel delays and parking restrictions during this time.  Please plan accordingly.

A map highlighting the referenced roadways is posted online at www.facebook.com/NewBrightonPA.

• Allegheny Street from Eleventh Avenue to Valley Avenue
• Grove Avenue from Allegheny Street to the Pulaski Township Municipal Boundary
• Nineteenth Avenue from Seventh Street to Eighth Street
• Thorn Street
• Eighteenth Avenue from Fifth Street Ext. to Seventh Street
• Seventh Street from Eighteenth Avenue to Grove Avenue
• Dewhirst Avenue
• Portion of T Street
• School Alley from Eighth Avenue to Penn Avenue
• Eleventh Street from Eighth Avenue to Penn Avenue
• Ninth Avenue from Eleventh Street to Ninth Street
• Tenth Street from Eighth Avenue to Ninth Avenue
• Eighth Avenue from Eleventh Street to Thirteenth Street
• Vincent Street from Townsend Street to Thirteenth Street
• Townsend Street from Eighth Avenue to Vincent Street
• Twelfth Street from Sixth Avenue to Penn Avenue
• Twelfth Street from Fourth Avenue through the Fifth Avenue Intersection
• Sixth Avenue from Eleventh Street to Thirteenth Street

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on August 29, 2024 at 10:40 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Nippon Steel has put up a deal and they have successfully implied an investment of $1 billion to U.S. Steel into their operation called Mon Valley Works. On Wednesday, Nippon Steel announced that through this billion-dollar fund given, they hope to upgrade the steel industry and to provide steel to be more adaptable and to place emphasis on its quality. The Mon Valley Works operates in four separate plants, residing in Clairton, Braddock, West Mifflin, and Fairless Hills.

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on August 29, 2024 at 10:36 A.M.)

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim Defoor and agency officials are disagreeing about money paid by pharmacies. Defoor released a report Wednesday that claimed the Department of Human Services caused $7 million in difference between reimbursement and price of the health plan for a prescription, which is “spread pricing” in 2022. However, agency officials have considered the differences as “transmission fees.” The report also noted that around 2.8 million Pennsylvanians are participating in The Physical Health Choices program involved with Medicaid.