The Allegheny County Health Department’s Air Quality Program is running a roughly $1 million deficit this year as it awaits approval of long-delayed permit fee increases by County Council, and officials say the shortfall threatens to slow enforcement and monitoring work across the region.

The Air Pollution Control Division — which oversees industrial emissions, air monitoring and compliance — had budgeted for about $6.2 million in expenses for 2025, but expects to generate only $3.8 million in revenue.

The more than $2 million difference is the result of fee changes not being passed, according to county health officials.

To close the gap, the division has implemented a hiring freeze, leaving nine positions unfilled that vary from field compliance engineers to air quality technicians.

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