U.S. Steel hit with $458K fine for air pollution violations

U.S. Steel must pay over $458,000 in penalty fines after the company violated air pollution control regulations, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.

The violations occurred at Clairton Coke Works early this year, the health department said. Per a 2019 agreement between U.S. Steel and the health department, 90% of the penalties will go toward the community benefit trust for impacted communities, and 10% will go to the Clean Air Fund.

U.S. Steel is reviewing the fine, according to a company spokeswoman.

The Clairton plant is the third-most-toxic air polluter in Allegheny County, according to Penn Environment. In 2021, U.S. Steel announced plans to shut down three of the plant’s coke batteries beginning next year.

Earlier this year, the health department hit U.S. Steel with over $7 million in fines for hydrogen sulfide emission, pollution and permit violations.

After the health department announced the most recent penalty, Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Breathe Project called in a news release for all emissions to end. The advocacy group says it’s dedicated to improving air quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“This history of paying fines instead of reducing emission violations indicates a willingness of U.S. Steel to operate the Clairton Coke Works in a ‘pay to pollute’ relationship with ACHD,” Matthew Mehalik, Breathe Project executive director, said in the news release.

In response, a U.S. Steel spokeswoman said the company “remains committed to working with all stakeholders on improving air quality in the Mon Valley.”