U.S. Steel Fined $4.75M For Pittsburgh-Area Pollution Violations

PITTSBURGH, PA —The Allegheny County Health Department has penalized U.S. Steel $4.5 million for 831 pollution violations at its Clairton Coke Works between January 2020 and last week.

The violations are for a practice referred uncontrolled pushing.

The operation of pushing involves unloading finished coke from the oven into a traveling hot car to be transported and cooled. For emission containment, a travel hood is placed over the vehicle to force emissions through filters to vent them.

Uncontrolled pushing occurs when the emissions don't go through the hooded controlling system, resulting in emissions that aren't captured or filtered being released into the air.

“We are committed to protecting residents’ health and holding sources of pollution accountable,” health department director Dr. Debra Bogen said. “The health department expects 100 percent compliance, and this latest enforcement action further demonstrates our commitment to protecting air quality for all."