U.S. Steel hit with $4.5M fine for alleged emissions violations

Allegheny County Health Department leveled a $4.5 million fine against U.S. Steel, alleging more than 800 emissions violations at the Clairton Coke Plant over more than two years.

The health department said the fines are related to what it called uncontrolled push violations.

In the coke production process, pushing is the term used to describe unloading finished coke from the oven into a cart to be moved and cooled. When the process is done properly, the emissions are forced through filters and then what’s called a pushing emission control system.

An uncontrolled push happens when emissions do not go through the filters and control system, instead sending the unfiltered emissions out into the air.

A review of reports from January 2020 through earlier this month showed 831 violations, the health department said.

“The health department expects 100% compliance, and this latest enforcement further demonstrates our commitment to protecting air quality for all,” said Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen.

U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said the latest allegations were never brought to the company’s attention.

“Considering that the order is based on reports that U. S. Steel submitted to ACHD on a monthly basis during this extensive period, we would expect to have been informed that the department was concerned, before waiting a significant amount of time and then taking unilateral action,” she said in a statement.

The health department has hit U.S. Steel with millions of dollars worth of fines in March alone. On March 3, the health department issued a $859,300 penalty for pollution control and permit violations, followed by a $1.8 million penalty four days later for hydrogen sulfide emission violations.

Patrick Campbell, executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution, applauded the enforcement efforts.

“I think ACHD’s recent enforcement efforts validate what community members have experienced for far too long: that U.S. Steel is not even close to being the good neighbor it pretends to be in its public statements,” Campbell said.