ISG Agrees to Cleanup, Fine

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with ISG Indiana Harbor Inc. on the company's alleged failure to control hydrochloric acid emissions at its steel pickling plant in East Chicago, Ind.

"As part of the agreement, ISG will protect the health of its neighbors by installing two air conveyor systems at its sinter plant, cutting dust emissions by about 7,500 pounds a year," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Thomas Skinner. Skinner said the systems will cost the company at least $111,783. This is in addition to a civil penalty of $42,839.

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.

A December 2002 test on ISG's pickling line stack showed excessive emissions of hydrochloric acid. ISG agreed to the settlement without the filing of an administrative complaint and has agreed to bring its hydrochloric acid emissions into compliance.