GASP (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

GASP (Group Against Smog and Pollution) was founded as a non-profit citizens' group in 1969 by a group of 43 volunteers in southwestern Pennsylvania working for a "healthy, sustainable environment". Over the years the group has worked to improve environmental standards in the region through educational programs and a quarterly newsletter, Hotline. In the 1970s, GASP entered into litigation in Federal District Court to require Allegheny County to adopt standards based on the Clean Air Act of 1970. In the 1980s, GASP cooperated with the EPA in bringing about enforcement of air quality standards at the US Steel Coke production facilities at its Clairton Works. Mission statement: "GASP will act to obtain for the residents of Western Pennsylvania clean air, water, and land in order to create the healthy, sustainable environment and quality of life to which we are all entitled."