EPA v. US STEEL-GARY (CIC)

Case summary

NATURE OF THE CASE UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION OPERATES A FULLY INTE- GRATED STEEL MILL IN LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA ON LAKE MICHIGAN. AMONG THE MANY SOURCES OF PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS AT THIS MILL IS A SINTER PLANT (NO. 3) WHICH AGGLOMERATES ORE FINES, COAL, AND LIMESTONE INTO A CAKE-LIKE SUBSTANCE SUIT- ABLE FOR USE IN THE BLAST FURNACE PROCESS. DURING THE PRO- DUCTION OF SINTER, LARGE AMOUNTS OF DUST ARE MIXED WITH THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION AND DUCTED THROUGH A GAS-CLEANING DEVICE BEFORE BEING RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. UNITED STATES STEEL'S NO. 3 SINTER PLANT AT GARY CONSISTS OF THREE SEPARATE PRODUCTION LINES, EACH OF WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY ITS OWN SERIES OF GAS CLEANING EQUIPMENT. TWO OF THE THREE LINES EMIT PARTICULATE MATTER EXCEEDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER REFERENCED ABOVE. CAUSE OF ACTION UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION'S NO. 3 SINTER PLANT EMISSIONS ARE IN VIOLATION OF INTERIM REQUIREMENTS IN A FEDERAL COURT ORDER ENTERED ON APRIL 26, 1983, PURSUANT TO THE STEEL INDUSTRY COMPLIANCE EXTENSION ACT OF 1981. THIS RECOMMENDED CONTEMPT ACTION IS NECESSARY TO INSURE THAT ADDITIONAL ORDERS ARE ENTERED WHICH REQUIRE UNITED STATES CORPORATION TO MEET APPROPRIATE EMISSION LIMITATIONS AND TO SECURE PENALTIES FOR UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION'S ABUSE OF THE EXTENSION ACT LEGISLATION. PROPOSED REMEDY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTERIM EMISSION LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN THE EXTENSION ACT COURT ORDER, UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE BASICITY OF THE SINTER STRAND IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF THE EXISTING CONTROL EQUIPMENT. IN ADDITION, REGION V RECOMMENDS A SIGNIFICANT CASH PENALTY ($50,000) BECAUSE OF UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS COURT ORDER. ISSUES OF NATIONAL AND PRECEDENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE EXCEPT INSOFAR AS THIS CONSTITUTES THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST ACTION FOR VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDER ENTERED UNDER THE STRETCHOUT LEGISLATION, WE HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ANY MATTERS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE THAT ARE CONNECTED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION.

Defendants (1)

• U.S. STEEL CORP.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (12)

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

• U S STEEL GARY WORKS

  1 NORTH BROADWAY, GARY, IN, 46402

  Registry ID: 110000398374

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• US STEEL-GARY (CIC)entered 1985-03-04

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $50,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1984-03-30Referred To Headquarters
• 1984-05-02Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1985-01-25Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1985-03-04Final Order Lodged
• 1985-03-04Final Order Entered
• 1985-03-04Complaint Filed With Court
• 1985-03-04Concluded
• 1986-06-01Enforcement Action Closed