Mon Valley leaders have $5M in U.S. Steel fines to spend, but little has gone to public health

Jillian ForstadtJune 2, 2023

So far, funds have gone for things like snowplows, street lights and ballfields, with only 7 percent for public health or environmental projects.

HealthPoliticsPollution

U.S. Steel reaches tentative settlement with Allegheny County, groups over air pollution following 2018 fire

Reid FrazierMarch 29, 2023

The federal lawsuit had asked for $42 million fine for U.S. Steel under the Clean Air Act. The fire knocked out pollution controls for more than 100 days.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

Allegheny County levees $307K in fines on U.S. Steel for Clairton air pollution violations

Jillian ForstadtMarch 16, 2023

The fine is for violations at the Clairton Coke Works for the second quarter of 2022. That is in addition to more than $458,000 in fines for the first quarter.

Pollution

U.S. Steel closing 3 coke batteries at its Clairton plant. Move is expected to lower emissions 

Reid FrazierMarch 14, 2023

U.S. Steel will begin closing three of its 10 remaining coke batteries at its Clairton plant later this month. It is expected to cut emissions by 15 to 20 percent.

Pollution

Mon Valley clean air watchdog calls on EPA to challenge Clairton plant’s operating permit

Jillian ForstadtMarch 8, 2023

The Group Against Smog and Pollution says the latest permit doesn’t hold the company to a plan to remedy the source of air violations.

Pollution

Groups, residents want EPA to protect Mon Valley from ‘unacceptably high’ levels of benzene pollution from U.S. Steel

Reid FrazierJanuary 4, 2023

Benzene, a known carcinogen, threatens ‘imminent danger’ to residents, the groups argue in a letter to EPA. They want action under the Clean Air Act.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

U.S. Steel fined $458K by Allegheny County for air violations

Reid FrazierDecember 2, 2022

That makes $9 million in penalties this year from the Allegheny County Health Department. Critics say U.S. Steel is paying to pollute.

Pollution

Inversions trap pollution in Allegheny County this fall, despite new rule

Reid FrazierOctober 21, 2022

Despite a new rule, hydrogen sulfide and soot levels surged in Allegheny County during a weather inversion this month.

HealthPollution

A new rule requires Mon Valley polluters to ease up on dirty air pollution days. Will it work?

Oliver MorrisonJune 24, 2022

Clairton residents say it's hard to breathe when air pollution is bad. They say the new rule is long overdue.

HealthPollution

Even moderate air pollution in Allegheny County raises ER visits for kids with asthma, study finds

Reid FrazierMay 20, 2022

The study finds Black children are among those most affected by air pollution, even on moderate or "yellow" air quality days.

Environmental JusticeHealthPollution