EPA Reaches Agreement with SDI

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Steel Dynamics Inc. on alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company's steel mill in Columbia City, Ind. EPA assessed a $50,000 penalty, and the company agreed to do a $100,000 environmental project.

"This environmental project will protect public health and the environment by removing lead paint from windows in the Ft. Wayne, Ind., area and paying for a lead poisoning case manager for Allen County," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Thomas Skinner. "We are pleased that the company has agreed to do this project that goes beyond what the law requires."

Companies that violate the Clean Air Act may voluntarily propose environmental projects as part of their settlements. EPA may reduce monetary penalties if it believes a project will cut pollution significantly and goes beyond what is required by EPA regulations.

The agreement resolves an administrative complaint alleging Steel Dynamics began work on its plant before it got a permit to prevent significant deterioration of air quality.