U.S. Steel Targets April 15 for Clairton Repairs

Air pollution is a growing concern for residents in Allegheny County near Pittsburgh. Sulfur dioxide levels and fine-particulate pollution have exceeded acceptable standards in the last several years. County health officials mostly blame emissions from U.S. Steel’s Clairton coke plant at Mon Valley Works as the cause.

Allegheny County health officials report that the plant has a history of air quality violations with 6,700 issued just between 2012 and 2015. “This is our biggest source of pollution,” said Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department. Enforcement orders were issued in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2016. Last year, U.S. Steel was issued two more enforcement orders with fines of $1 million and $620,000, which it is currently appealing. So far this year, the county said it has received more than 2,300 air-quality complaints from residents.