Allegheny County demands $458K in air pollution penalties from U.S. Steel

The Allegheny County Health Department announced Friday that it had issued $458,225 in penalties against U.S. Steel for air pollution control violations at the Clairton Coke Works during the first quarter of 2022.

The county sent a letter dated Nov. 28 to U.S. Steel, demanding payment for violations observed in inspections through March 31. A U.S. Steel spokeswoman said the company was reviewing the demand.

Under the 2019 agreement between the department and U.S. Steel, the county said, 90% of penalties ($412,402.50) will be paid to the Community Benefit Trust for affected communities while the remaining 10% ($45,822.50) will be paid to the Allegheny County Clean Air Fund.

In March, ACHD issued $859,300 in stipulated penalties against U.S. Steel for violations that occurred at the Clairton Coke Works during the last three quarters of 2021.

“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,” stated Matthew Mehalik, executive director of the Breathe Project. “This needs to end, as these emissions are harming our region’s residents.”

Young children, seniors and those with respiratory problems are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

Most recently, the health department issued a Mon Valley air pollution alert over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The alert started as a warning on Nov. 23 and was downgraded Nov. 25 to a watch. The alerts are issued when air quality exceeds the county’s threshold for 24hour PM 2.5 levels, which is one measure of air pollution.

More information about this and other air quality enforcement actions is available on the health department’s website.