U.S. Steel to build $3bn mill despite pollution fears

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 01:39 · Archive

U.S. Steel is advancing a nearly $3 billion hot strip mill project at its Edgar Thomson Works in Pennsylvania, despite local concerns about increased air pollution.

U.S. Steel has approved $2.95 billion in funding for a new hot strip mill at its Edgar Thomson Works near Pittsburgh, which straddles Braddock and North Braddock. The plant would replace an 87-year-old mill at U.S. Steel's Irvin Works in West Mifflin. The company, now owned by Japan's Nippon Steel following a $15 billion acquisition last year, says the investment is needed for the Mon Valley Works. PennLive reports the new mill would raise annual capacity to 3.5 million tons and is projected to support up to 6,300 jobs across Pennsylvania.

Local leaders and environmental advocates say concerns about pollution remain unaddressed. According to Allegheny County Health Department data, the new facility — powered by coke oven and natural gas — could cause a 43 per cent increase in PM 2.5, tiny particulate matter harmful to the lungs, and a 98 per cent increase in NOx and NO2 around Braddock. These pollutants are caused by burning fossil fuels and harm the respiratory system. TribLIVE reports that Nathan Mallory, who serves on Braddock borough council, said the facility would only bring more pollution to his neighbourhood. While the company says overall emission rates in the Mon Valley would lower after the aging Irvin mill is idled, local residents would bear the increased pollution burden.

How it is being reported

• U.S. Steel is spending nearly $3 billion to transform a Pittsburgh-area plant — here's what changesThe new hot strip mill will raise annual capacity to 3.5 million tons and is projected to support up to 6,300 jobs across Pennsylvania.PennLive · 24 Oct, 01:07
• U.S. Steel advances $3B Mon Valley project despite pollution concerns of residents, environmental groupsU.S. Steel says it’s pushing forward with a project to build a nearly $3 billion hot strip mill at its Edgar Thomson Works, but local leaders and environmental advocates say many of their concerns about an expected spike in pollution remain unaddressed.TribLIVE · 22 Oct, 23:22

In this story: U.S. Steel · Nippon Steel · Edgar Thomson Works · Irvin Works · Braddock · North Braddock · Pennsylvania · Nathan Mallory

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem