PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Two environmental groups are going to federal court against U.S. Steel alleging violations of the Clean Air Act following a December fire at the Clairton Coke Works.
Penn Environment and the Clean Air Council seek a court order for U.S. Steel to abide by its operating permits and reimbursement for harm to the community.
According to Ashleigh Deemer with Penn Environment, U.S. Steel repeatedly violated its operating permits and harmed the community.
“These violations occurred throughout the Mon-Valley Works as a result of U.S. Steel’s decision to operate the plant for more than three months while critical pollution controls were out of commission,” said Deemer.
The Clean Air Council which joined in the lawsuit said sulfur dioxide levels were many times higher than legal limits, while U.S. Steel says pollution controls are operating again, the groups say the health impact is long lasting.
Clairton resident Melanie Meade says it smelled like rotten eggs, tasted like bad medicine for weeks after the fire damaged pollution control equipment.
U.S. Steel has 60 days to respond.
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