In the midst of a possible multi-billion-dollar merger with Japanese-based Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel continues to pile up air quality violations at its Mon Valley Works facility. This time, it’s the Edgar Thomson Works that got flagged for blowing its emissions limits for carbon monoxide.
Yes, the Allegheny County Health Department has again issued a Notice of Violation against U.S. Steel for emissions violations at the Braddock facility.
Here’s what’s going on: According to the four-page Notice of Violation letter dated Aug. 26, the results of stack tests performed at the facility revealed carbon monoxide (CO) emissions exceeded the limits set forth in the company’s Title V operating permit (more on Title V operating permits here for those who need a refresher).
ACHD noted that the Edgar Thomson plant was exceeding both the hourly limits for carbon monoxide emissions as well as its annual limit:
“The short-term hourly emission limitation…for CO is 2,575.44 lb./hr. On January 25, 2024, ET performed compliance testing on the BOP Primary Collection Scrubber System. On March 28, 2024, ET submitted the compliance test report. The three runs showed 4,599 lb./hr., 2,714 lb./hr. and 2,723 lb./hr. per hour. The average test results for the BOP Primary Collection Scrubber System were 3,346 lb./hr., exceeding the permit limit of 2,575.44 lb./hr.”
ACHD calculated a total civil penalty of $12,300 for the violations.
“However, ACHD is not assessing the civil penalty at this time. The review and assessment of the civil penalty will occur pending the outcome of the permit appeal,” the notice indicated.
Another detail we don’t want to let this nugget go unnoticed from the letter:
“As of the date of this Notice, ACHD has not received any information as to any corrective action taken, results of investigations, or the date of a retest. ET has been and continues to operate out of compliance with (those emissions limits).”
“It’s upsetting, but really in no way surprising that U.S. Steel has apparently not even bothered to take any corrective action,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “This is seemingly a major part of the company’s playbook: Ignore an air quality problem, deny an air quality problem, then robustly appeal every violation and tie up the system. They say they want to be - and are - good neighbors. But their actions speak so loudly that nobody should listen to what they say anymore.”
He added:
“No matter who ends up owning this mess, it needs to get cleaned up now.”
Editor's Note: U.S. Steel has appealed the Notice of Violation. You can read that document here. GASP continues to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted.