Become a member and increase our ability to fulfill our mission to ensure the safety, security, and quality of life for our community.   Membership Support Education and Advocacy Why Become a Member: Your membership gives you exclusive news and information about our ongoing educational and advocacy efforts in the community. As a member, you are also invited to vote for our board members every year. By becoming a member, you are ensuring that we have the legal standing needed to continue advocating for your rights and the rights of your community. Every membership increases our ability to fulfill our mission to ensure the safety, security, and quality of life for our community. Membership is $25/year for a household, or $10/year for an individual. Contact noah@protectpt.org with any questions regarding membership. Managing Your Membership Not sure when you last donated or need another donation receipt? You can now log into a secure online portal to check your donation records. If you have any questions about the portal, please contact noah@protectpt .org. Already a member but want to give? Donate Today! Don't want to donate online? Send a check to: Protect PT 3344 Route 130 PO BOX 137 Harrison City, PA 15636 Don't forget your membership form if you are a new member! Cut it in half and give the other side to a friend! Member Testimonials Saving the Quarry Sanctuary in Jeanette "The land I love so dearly is in danger of being poisoned by the petrochemical industry." Read laZae's compelling story about protecting her family's land with the help of Protect PT. - laZae Go to Fighting for Clean Air and Water in Plum "I knew in my gut [the terrible chemical smell] had to be related to the well activity, but needed help to understand all the impacts. That’s when I turned to Protect PT." Katie tells her story about how an injection well in Plum propelled her into action. - Katie Go to Protecting our Kids From Pollution "Gillian and I moved to Trafford because it looked like an amazing place to raise our family. Almost immediately, we found ourselves fighting to keep the air clean and safe for our kids." Read Ryan's story about protecting what matters most: his children. - Ryan Go to

Unconventional oil and gas waste contains several harmful and often radioactive constituents that can pollute waterways in cases of spills or leaks. While the industry touts this method of transportation as a way to reduce truck traffic, vehicle exhaust, road damage, etc. the transportation of this waste on rivers is poorly regulated and increases the risk of leaks or chemical spills right into major bodies of water. Many of these rivers are sources of drinking water.  Waste Barging Why is Waste Barging such an issue? Unconventional oil and gas waste contains several harmful and often radioactive constituents that can pollute waterways in cases of spills or leaks. While the industry touts this method of transportation as a way to reduce truck traffic, vehicle exhaust, road damage, etc. the transportation of this waste on rivers is poorly regulated and increases the risk of leaks or chemical spills right into major bodies of water. Many of these rivers are sources of drinking water. The potential for a spill is enormous, and the consequences could be catastrophic. A single barge can hold approximately 24,000 barrels of toxic, radioactive waste, and there is no limit to the number of toxic barges that could be traversing the Ohio River each day. (Read more on the blog by Concerned Ohio River Residents .) Drilling and fracking wastewater contains salty brines, drilling and fracking chemicals and naturally occurring radioactive material flushed from shale formations thousands of feet underground. Radium-226 and radium-228, both found in brine waste, are known carcinogens and can cause bone, liver and breast cancer in high concentrations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The wastewater can also contain other radioactive components, including Potassium 40, Thorium 232, and Uranium 238. Groups from PA and OH have been working together to raise awareness and address the potential of barging fracking waste down the three rivers (the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio). Together, we submitted a petition with over 15,750 signatures to the United States Coast Guard asking them to deny any and all authorizations for barging fracking waste down the rivers. You can read the full petition linked on this page. Read more about waste barging in an article published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Waste Barging Petition Want to get involved? Contact info@protectpt.org to find out how you can help. Watch Parts 1 and 2 of the Better Path Presents webinar on Waste Barging and What You can do Support Our Work

Learn more about the proposed Level Green and Lyons Run Pipeline in Level Green and Murrysville. Level Green Lyons Run Pipeline Where is this Pipeline? The Level Green and Lyons Run Pipeline, proposed by Apex WML Midstream LLC would transport unprocessed, fracked gas from the proposed Drakulic Well Pad through Level Green and Murrysville. The proposed pipeline measures 8" in diameter. Many residents have been approached about signing easements for the pipeline to run through their property. If you are approached to sign an easement, you should know: You DO NOT need to sign - you have a right to say no to putting this pipeline through your property The pipeline operator cannot take your property through Eminent Domain (this is a convenience pipeline, not a public utility) You can find out more information about the proposed pipeline and the operator Apex by downloading this slide presentation . You can also watch the video recording of the presentation on this page. Who Oversees This Pipeline? The PA DEP reviews and permits erosion and sediment control, water and wetlands, as well as temporary road crossings for construction. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) requires registration of natural gas gathering pipelines and performs inspections after the pipeline is in operation. However, it is unclear what safety requirements are in place. Protect PT is continuing to investigate. What is HDD? Horizontal Direction Drilling is method for installing underground pipelines that uses a drill on the surface (entry point drilling pit) to bore a hole into the subsurface using thousands of gallons of water and bentonite clay for lubricant. Issues with HDD: HDD can lead to inadvertent returns, where the drilling fluid returns to the surface. The release of drilling fluid can impact aquatic life and impair aquifers and drinking wells. How Close Are You? See the Level Green and Lyons Run Portions of the Pipeline by Apex WML Midstream LLC.

The communities of the Turtle Creek watershed and airshed have come together to demand sustainable change to protect the interconnected water and airsheds that encompass these connected communities. There are over 30 municipalities that are touched by these networks of creeks, rivers, and traveling air pathways. Meetings began in December 2019 to explore options for sustainable community development actions based on what people of the community wanted to see done. ReImagine TCWAC What Is Reimagine TCWAC? The communities of the Turtle Creek watershed and airshed have come together to demand sustainable change to protect the interconnected water and airsheds that encompass these connected communities. There are over 30 municipalities that are touched by these networks of creeks, rivers, and traveling air pathways. Meetings began in December 2019 to explore options for sustainable community development actions based on what people of the community wanted to see done. Protect PT is a fiscal sponsor of Reimagine TCWAC. TCWAC Website Vision Re-Imagine Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed Communities Plus (TCWAC+) is a community-led initiative to envision and implement sustainable community and economic development for the TCWAC and beyond. The counties of eastern Allegheny and western Westmoreland, in which the communities reside, are focusing on sustainability tactics for Human Health and Wellness, Land Management, Renewable Energy and Green Infrastructure, Urban Agriculture, and Single-Use Plastics Diversion. By looking within ourselves and working to improve our relationship with the earth, we will improve the greater Western PA Watershed and Airshed region. “Healing and coming back to the balance of the air and the people that live within it,” as Moni Wesner commented, is the future we see and are building ahead. Communities of the Turtle Creek Watershed Although TCWAC+'s scope reaches the majority of SWPA, the Turtle Creek Watershed is the heart of our sustainable development efforts. The watershed makes up the suburbs east of Pittsburgh in east Allegheny County and west Westmoreland county. It reaches 32 municipalities (listed below) and over 320,000 individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In creation of TCWAC+, we organized around the watershed and airshed in recognition of how our actions are interconnected by geological features, not political lines. How we treat the air and water affects everyone downwind and downstream. Adamsburg Borough Braddock Hills Borough Chalfant Borough Churchill Borough City of Greensburg City of Jeannette Delmont Borough East Pittsburgh Borough Export Borough Forest Hills Borough Hempfield Township Irwin Borough Manor Borough McKeesport Borough Municipality of Monroeville Municipality of Murrysville Municipality of Penn Hills North Braddock Borough North Huntingdon Borough North Irwin Borough North Versailles Borough Penn Township Pitcairn Borough Plum Borough Salem Township Trafford Borough Turtle Creek Borough Wall Borough Washington Township Wilkins Township Wilkinsburg Wilmerding Photo by Bob Donnan

Join our team! Become an intern and get school credit or volunteer hours. Internships What You Need to Know We are seeking socially and environmentally conscious people who are strong communicators and have a passion for helping others and the community in areas of science, organizing, sustainability, communications, environmental policy, and environmental law. A successful applicant will embody our organization’s core tenets of Creativity, Quality Communication, Education & Leadership of Others, Culture of Service, Relationship Building, Adaptability, and Effective Time & Project Management. We offer unpaid internships (for course credit). If offered an internship position, we will work around school requirements and work schedules as much as possible to ensure that the Intern's needs are met during their time on our team. If you are interested in a position, please click the "Apply Now" button and complete the application form with a resume and cover letter. Contact kyle@protectpt.org with any questions. Internship Type General Intern Environmental Policy & Advocacy Intern Digital Media & Outreach Intern Legal Research & Writing Intern Environmental Science & Research Internship Community Organizer Intern SPRING/SUMMER 2026 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Protect PT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of sex, race, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or any other protected category. Apply Now! What Do We Look For?

Data centers are energy intensive facilities that contain a large network of computer servers that store, manage, back up, and recover data. In January of 2025, Protect PT learned about a proposed data center located in Upper Burrell, PA, at the old Alcoa plant. According to TECfusions, the company responsible, this one data center will consume three gigawatts of electricity—more electricity than produced by solar in the state of Pennsylvania. Data Centers & Fracking Proposed Data Centers Near You in Southwestern PA Sign up for Email Updates A data center is a warehouse-like building containing rows of networked computer servers and equipment used for the remote processing, storage, and distribution of data. Municipalities across Pennsylvania are currently receiving many proposals for large data center projects, primarily for the purpose of allowing technology companies to power AI tools and cloud computing. These hyperscale facilities can cover hundreds of acres of land and require vast amounts of energy and water. Our Advocacy Target Areas: Regional sites where we actively mobilize community members around shared concerns. Upper Burrell Springdale Get Involved Upcoming Events SAVE (Save Allegheny Valley Environment) Springdale Resident Meetings Date : Every Wednesday Time : 7 PM - 8:30 PM Location : From Italy Pizza Restaurant 1115 Lincoln Ave, Springdale, PA 15144 Monthly Upper Burrell Community Meetings Date : Last Wednesday of Each Month Time : 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Location : Penn State New Kensington 3550 7th Street Rd, New Kensington, PA 15068 Download our fact sheets! Get your own yard sign! Homer City Data Center Impacts to Residents and the Environment from Large Scale Data Centers Increased Electric Costs Data centers use tremendous amounts of electricity. New hyperscale facilities, which are designed to support AI development, demand hundreds of megawatts (MW) or even several gigawatts (GW) of energy. That's as much energy as a mid-size city like Pittsburgh. This can drive up costs for local residents and small businesses. People in northern Virginia, the "Data Center Capital of the World," are already facing rate hikes as data centers consume more than 25% of the state's electricity . Fracking Operations A sudden influx in energy-intensive data center projects would strain our resources, encouraging more unconventional oil and gas development. Many of these facilities are being proposed alongside gas-fired power plants. Southwestern Pennsylvanians are already facing the burdens of fracking in the form of negative health impacts, disturbances, and stress. We are concerned that data center development would be a significant roadblock to moving in the right direction for a clean and healthy energy future. High Water Usage Data centers have become a top 10 water consuming industry in the United States. Hyperscale facilities can consume up to five million gallons of water per day to cool their servers. In fact, each 100-word email generated by an AI Chatbot using GPT-4 requires 519 millimeters of water for cooling, which is more than 1 standard bottle of water. Not all water authorities may be capable of or suitable for serving these data centers. This high water use could also pose a problem during periods of drought. Air Pollution Noise and Light Pollution Many of these data centers would be powered by gas-fired power plants or mobile gas turbines, which release harmful pollutants into the air. Data centers are also often equipped with backup diesel generators, which kick for additional power use. These noisy generators produce particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, which can cause breathing problems in exposed populations. People living near data centers are sometimes affected by noise and light pollution. Data centers emit constant, low-frequency noise, which can affect physical and mental wellbeing. The type of activity that a data center is used for can affect how much sound it produces, with cryptocurrency mines being especially loud. Careful facility siting and design is necessary to prevent data centers from emitting nuisance noise. Resources AI Data Centers & Fracking - Video Playlist Frac Tracker - National Data Centers Tracker EESI - Data Centers & Water Consumption Large Scale Data Center Impacts - Resource Guide Water Keepers Chesapeake - Water Supply Article: SWPA Residents Rage Against the Machines ORVI - Fracking & Economics

Our work involves community education and involvment with the beaver run well pad, youth climate action, oil and gas waste, and legal advocacy. Our Work We work in communities across Westmoreland and eastern Allegheny counties impacted by unconventional oil and gas development. What We Do Using grassroots organizing, policy analysis, environmental science, and community education, and legal advocacy, we work to protect our public health and preserve our natural environment here in southwest PA. We collaborate with a diverse network of non-profit organizations as well as local and state government officials to enact change that benefits local residents. Legal Advocacy Our legal team works to protect Pennsylvanian's right to clean air and pure water, as as acknowledged under the Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 1 Section 27. Learn More Focus Areas Penn Township Protect PT's home base, Penn Township, has had significant levels of unconventional oil and gas development in the past decade, including over ten proposed well pads and two compressor stations. Learn More Beaver Run Reservoir Located in Westmoreland County, Beaver Run is a public water source for 150,000 people in the 39 surrounding townships. More than 50 wells are located near the reservoir; many less than 1,000 feet from the water's edge. Learn More Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill This landfill produces significant health and environmental impacts to nearby residents in Rostraver, Monessen, and Belle Vernon. Learn More Operator Accountability Holding local operators accountable for their actions is critical to protecting our rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of our environment. View our permitting digest, find out what operators are near you, and report your observations here! Learn More Data Centers and Fracking As of early 2025, Protect PT has begun working around a proposed data center located in Upper Burrell Township that would negatively impact residents. Learn More Plum Injection Well The Plum Injection Well is situated near the Allegheny River, the drinking water source for the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. A leak from the injection well could impact hundreds of thousands of residents. Learn More Additional Resources 1. Fracking 101 Learn what fracking is and how it can impact you, your family, and your community. Learn More 2. Leasing Information Learn everything you need to know before you consider signing a lease. Learn More 3. Permitting and Violations Stay up to date about new permits and operator violations near you. Learn More Support our Work Become a member of Protect PT and help us continue providing essential programs that protect our environment and public health here in southwest PA. I WANT TO BE A MEMBER!

Our Mission Protect PT (Penn-Trafford) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring residents' safety, security, and quality of life by engaging in education and advocacy to protect the economic, environmental, and legal rights of the people in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.  ​ About Us Our Mission Protect PT (Penn-Trafford) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring residents' safety, security, and quality of life by engaging in education and advocacy to protect the economic, environmental, and legal rights of the people in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. Protect PT was established in 2014 as a grassroots community-based nonprofit organization designed to protect our community from the harmful environmental impacts of fossil fuel activity. We are dedicated to ensuring Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties residents’ safety, security, and quality of life. Meet the Team Gillian Graber (She/Her) Jim Cirilano (He/Him) Yvonne Sorovacu (She/Her) Kyle Zboran (They/Them) Sara Majorsky (She/Her) Lauren Posey (She/Her) Mina Kimak (She/Her Noah Bedard (He/Him) Brandon Mutschler (He/Him) Community Environmental Education Center Our Financial Supporters Our financial supporters include community member contributions as well as the organizations below that fiscally support our work in a variety of ways. 2026 The Heinz Endowments 11th Hour Project The Schmidt Family Foundation EPA ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Equation Campaign Just Fund Frontline Justice OVR Participatory Fund Patagonia Environmental Grants Rural Climate Democracy 2025 The Heinz Endowments 11th Hour Project The Schmidt Family Foundation Rural Climate Democracy EPA ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Equation Campaign Pittsburgh Wishbook Patagonia Environmental Grants OVR Participatory Fund Park Foundation Just Fund Frontline Justice

Get Involved As a grassroots organization, Protect PT encourages all community members to get involved in our work by becoming a member, volunteering, joining our board, or applying for internships or jobs with us! Become a Member Support Protect PT's Work By becoming a member, you are ensuring that we have the legal standing needed to continue advocating for your rights and the rights of your community. Every membership increases our ability to fulfill our mission to ensure the safety, security, and quality of life for our community. Become a Member Take Action Check out our updated list of actions that residents can take to better our community and support our continued advocacy. Take Action Internships Protect PT offers several internships for high school and college students looking to gain experience in our focus areas, including environmental policy, law, community organizing, and digital marketing. Click below to see what internship positions are currently available. Internships Careers Protect PT offers a supportive and flexible working environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All of our positions are based in our home base of Harrison City, PA. Click below to see what positions are currently available. Careers Volunteer If you are a socially and environmentally conscious person who has a positive attitude, flexibility, enthusiasm, and a passion for helping others and the community, please join us by volunteering your time. Volunteer With Us Join our Board We are always looking for board members with experience in the following areas: legal, grant writing/development, environmental science/engineering, and finance/business operations. If you have experience in any of those areas and would like to serve your community, please consider joining our board. Join our Board Mentorship We strive to be of service to other communities in the southwestern Pennsylvania region to help them better protect themselves from unconventional gas development and its associated infrastructure. In order to serve other communities, we are offering mentorship and guidance to individuals or groups that want to work toward social change in their community. Learn More

Join our team! Be a member of our board, volunteer, or intern to create change in your community. Become an intern and get school credit or volunteer hours. Careers at Protect PT PPT offers a supportive and flexible working environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. If you have any questions about job oppertunities at Protect PT, email us at info@protectpt.org . If you would like to support Protect PT's mission but are not currently seeking an employee position, you can visit our Take Action! page and sign up to be a volunteer . Additionally, you can donate and become a PPT member. Internship applicants can learn more about our openings and apply on our internship page . Current Positions Community Organizer (Full-Time) Are you a socially and environmentally conscious individual with a passion for helping the community? Protect PT wants you to apply to our full-time Community Organizer role! We're seeking an energetic self-starter, ideally with experience in community organizing, who strongly believes that our communities deserve to be empowered with the tools to participate in environmental advocacy. If this sounds like you, please view the job details at the link above, and apply at https://protectpt.info/apply . Applicants should be sure to include a cover letter, resume, and writing and design samples! Our Core Tenets Protect PT's Inclusion Policy Protect PT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of sex, race, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or any other protected category. The work I do here affects my friends and family. My parents get their drinking water from Beaver Run Reservoir. If you apply for a job here, you’ll be fighting for my parents, too. [Additionally], I’m disabled. I need accommodation under the ADA in order to do my job. Of all the places I’ve worked, Protect PT has done the best job of accommodating me. Management’s focus is always on the results I achieve. When personal health issues come up, Protect PT has stood by me. Tom P. Former Environmental Policy Advocate

Operator Accountability Weekly Permitting and Violations Digest Are you concerned with unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) in Southwest PA? Do you worry about how oil and gas companies are impacting the environment? If so, sign up to receive a weekly round-up from Protect PT on any new permits filed by oil and gas companies operating in the area or notices of violations. Citizen watchdogs help ensure the Department of Environmental Protection is adequately addressing the impacts of fracking, and that they hold oil and gas companies to the highest standard when complying with the law. All reports are sourced from the Department of Environmental Protection's Pennsylvania's Environment Facility Application Compliance Tracking System (eFACTS) . Use our map to find operators near you! Subscribe Here See Something? Say Something. Use our reporting app to notify community of environmental hazards in your area! IF YOU ARE WITNESSING AN ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY, CONTACT THE DEP IMMEDIATELY AT 800-541-2050 Report Your Observations You can report observations at home or on the go with our environmental reporting tool . This mobile responsive website can be used on any device. You can record observations of environmental hazards and health impacts, as well as find additional directions on reporting these impacts to the proper agencies. You should report... Air pollution Noise and Nuisance related to development Water contamination Headaches, dizziness, or other symptoms caused by pollution Safety concerns And more! Be sure to also report your observations to the DEP in order to hold operators accountable for their actions. Protect PT will follow up on any reports you make through the app, but will not disclose any personal information to third parties without your consent. If you have questions about using this tool, contact the Environmental Science team at enviroscience@protectpt.org . Learn to Make a Report! OR Download Our App! We Can Hold Them Accountable Check out these recent enforcement actions by the DEP. View more on our Instagram! File Your Report Here Or, scan this QR code with your phone to file a report on your mobile device!

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