Federal funding has been allocated to help communities monitor air pollution from oil and gas operations, but the question remains: what will be done with this data? Protect PT, an environmental organization in Penn-Trafford, is installing air pollution-monitoring devices on residents’ properties as part of a larger monitoring project. The hope is that the data collected will lead to increased regulation and enforcement of air pollution standards. However, some are skeptical about the effectiveness of community-led monitoring efforts and worry that the data may not be utilized effectively. Regardless, many see this as a pivotal time for addressing air pollution from oil and gas operations.

Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Union Progress