Allegheny County Health Department fines U.S. Steel for emissions problems

The Allegheny County Health Department has levied an additional $707,568 fine against U.S. Steel, bringing the total fines issued since June 2018 to more than $2 million, according to a statement from the health department Monday.

The new fine addresses continued emissions problems at the Clairton Coke Works facility during the third and fourth quarters of 2018, according to the statement.

U.S. Steel is reviewing the new fine, according to a statement issued Monday by the company.

“We are committed to improving the environmental performance of our Clairton Plant and are actively working to do so,” the statement said. “U. S. Steel will continue to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders, state and local government officials and the Allegheny County Health Department to achieve our common goal of protecting our shared environment and the jobs of thousands of skilled Mon Valley Works employees who manufacture world-class steel products and that have been the pride of the Pittsburgh region for generations.”

This penalty issued Monday is separate from other enforcement actions, including a Feb. 28 enforcement order related to daily sulfur dioxide, or SO2, emissions following a Dec. 24 fire at Clairton Coke Works.

Violations related to the Dec. 24 fire will be assessed after repairs are complete, the statement said.

Until then, U.S. Steel is required to extend coking times to 27 hours and to have desulfurization equipment — equipment that cleans coke oven gas to remove substances like SO2 — back online by April 15, according to the enforcement order.