I went to law school for environmental law. I am perfectly capable in knowing how it works. It is not easy. I said to get THOSE types of cases you do would need DOJ cooperation especially with criminal charges. You can’t just say well obviously it’s intentional.

Those are outliers not the norm. Those cases require the DOJ cooperating. It is not normal to get that relief. Yes the EPA is an administrative agency but it’s also a federal agency. They have additional resources. The Volkswagen case started in 2009.

It takes regulation changes. But also some of the fines that you see aren’t for the major violations. And there also settlement agreements that have stipulated penalties which require them to pay quarterly.

Okay, I’m very curious if you can link me these MEGA MILLION DOLLAR lawsuits that have happened. Also as noted those are citizen suits under the CAA.

Please go read the ACHD rules and regulations. You are thinking of a citizens suit under the clean air act. Criminal fines can be filed but they are actually not as high. And again it doesn’t matter because US Steel appeals everything. They appeal new permits, their fines, regulation changes etc. Go look at the ACHD Dockets. Cases are years old. US steel has a lot of money to fight the appeals.

That’s literally not how it works. It is an administrative agency.

I left the ACHD recently. A big problem is the county does not pay well. The air quality department has some of the most qualified and educated people in the county but they aren’t getting any support from the county. They are understaffed and underpaid. A lot of people have left after the pandemic because we don’t have any hybrid options and other govt agencies do and pay better. US steel ties up a lot of the department in litigation and appeals. But the department is still very transparent. And as I said on the previous thread Allegheny County has stricter air quality regs than the rest of the state.

If you’re seriously interested start attending Air Quality Advisory Meetings which are public meetings. Actually go and look at proposed reg changes on the county website. Attend public hearings.

No the laws are landlord friendly. The rent withholding act in PA requires the apartment be classified as unhabitable by the proper jurisdiction and the renter must make valid payments into an escrow account. The landlord has SIX MONTHS to repair it. While the renter keeps paying and living there. If after 6 months it’s fixed the money goes to the landlord. Even if it took all 6 months.

I recommend using the reporting system for the Health Department. That way you can keep track that it went through and follow up. (Former employee)

https://alleghenycounty.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(ptmbauzmgas3r3czfcb5ic5s))/RequestLogin.aspx?sSessionID=&rqst=65&target=YpURA3m6cNU+N1K9kEqQhqz8yC2ZLKNdSdB4wnowVJ5S8CGTBp2GIItHg4/I0pUM8Jvp1AAd4YheCcTrA795fG9P3xL5LmB/wFQjiIoSWN7m7ExXWVFe2xHeRTqBIFJqCah1aE6wb1iZeM/RiIvMYQ==

I texted my mom a screenshot of this and she responded “in my kitchen” she’s a boss.

Oh man! My mom has about a 5ft tall bay leaf plant! She’s been growing it for years. It’s great when I need some bay leaves. If you can’t find any PM me and I can maybe hook you up!