Allegheny Ludlum Reaches Agreement with EPA, Pennsylvania County on Clear Air Act Violations

Allegheny Ludlum Corp. (ALC) has reached a settlement agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Allegheny County, Pa., Health Department and the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged Clean Air Act violations at the steel company’s Natrona silicon steel production plant in Allegheny County, Pa.

In an EPA announcement, ALC has agreed to pay a $1.6 million civil penalty. In addition, Allegheny Ludlum has agreed to permanently cease steel making operations at its Natrona facility by Nov. 30, 2010 – a requirement included in the settlement based on an independent business decision by the company to consolidate steel-making operations at its nearby Brackenridge plant. 

In March 2006 and June 2007, the Allegheny County Health Department and Allegheny Ludlum settled Clean Air Act (CAA) violations of the visible emissions limits under the EPA-approved state implementation plan. The settlement required the installation and repair of a baghouse and other air pollution control equipment.

During an EPA inspection in August 2007, the emission control efforts agreed to at Natrona were not sufficient and did not bring the company into compliance. So, EPA issued a notice of violation. The alleged CAA violations resolved by this settlement agreement pertain to excessive visible fugitive emissions coming from the Natrona facility’s basic oxygen furnace shop. 

Until operations at the Natrona facility cease, the settlement requires the company to take specific steps to minimize visible emissions including charging hot metal at a slow and steady manner and maintaining a double door at the facility.