Free Trees, Pollution Problems & Residents Coming for the Cracker

It’s the Friday news roundup! Residents are raising a stink about bad — and possibly dangerous — smells around the Shell cracker in Beaver County, iffy allergies aren’t the only issues with our up-and-down Spring temperatures, and it’s Arbor Day! Stick around for how to request a free tree from the city and which little neighborhoods have the fullest canopy cover.

We love to cite our sources:

• Colin’s latest reporting focuses on temperature inversions. Part 4 is available via City Paper. The Allegheny Front will have the next report.
• The state Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the Shell plant.
• The Beaver Co. Times talked to residents who reported strong smells after a hydrocarbon release, as well as elevated levels of benzene following an April 11 malfunction.
• City Cast Pittsburgh talked to Danielle Crumrine with Tree Pittsburgh about our city’s tree canopy last spring. She talked a lot about the evolution of tree selection around our electrical grid and what lawmakers can do to help local homeowners.
• And check out our City Cast Pittsburgh episode about the SmellPgh app and why the city sometimes smells like rotten eggs.

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