"EPA Objects To Air Quality Permit Issued To US Steel’s Clairton Coke Works"

"The Environmental Protection Agency objected to an air quality permit issued to U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, a move advocates say will protect Mon Valley residents from emissions of harmful air pollutants.

The EPA filed the objection under the grounds that the permit — which was issued by the Allegheny County Health Department in November — did not comply with the Clean Air Act.

In March, local environmental groups submitted two petitions to the EPA requesting the objection. The first, filed by the Environmental Integrity Project, PennFuture, and the Clean Air Council, argued that the Title V Air Quality permit "did not include monitoring and testing requirements sufficient to assure compliance with multiple air quality emissions limitations for multiple emissions sources."

The second petition, filed by advocates from the Group Against Smog and Pollution, argued that the permit failed to include a compliance schedule, which is required by the Clean Air Act when a facility is out of compliance with emission standards at the time of the permit issuance, according to a news release from environmental organization PennFuture."

Laura Esposito reports for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 5, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Steel Closing 3 Coke Batteries At Clairton Plant, Which Is Expected To Lower Emissions" (Allegheny Front/WESA)

"ER Visits Plummet After Shenango Coke Works On Neville Island Closed" (StateImpact Pennsylvania/NPR)

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10/09/2023