EPA v. US STEEL-GARY (CIC)

Case summary

NATURE OF THIS CASE UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION OPERATES A FULLY INTEGRATED STEEL MILL IN LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA ON LAKE MICHIGAN. AMONG THE MANY SOURCES OF PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS AT THIS MIL L IS THE #2 OBOP WHICH CONVERTS MOLTEN IRON INTO STEEL. DUR ING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS EMISSIONS OF PARTICULATE MATTER O CCUR WHENEVER MATERIALS ARE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE BUILDING AND MOST OFFENSIVELY DURING THE REFINING PROCESS. EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM CHARGING HOT METAL INTO THE PRIMARY REFINING VESSEL AND THE REFINING OPERATION ITSELF ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS RECOMMENDATION. CAUSE OF ACTION UNITED STATES STELL CORPORATION'S #2 OBOP EMISSIONS ARE IN VIOLATION OF 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 STEEL CORPORATION TO MEET APPROPRIATE EMISSION LIMITATIONS AND TO SECURE PENALTIES FOR UNITED STAT ES STEEL CORPORATION'S ABUSE OF THE EXTENSION ACT LEGISLATIO N. PROPOSED REMEDY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH EMISSION LIMITATIONS CON TAINED IN THIS EXTENSION ACT COURT ORDER, UNITED STATES STE EL CORPORATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL AIR PO LLUTION COLLECTION EQUIPMENT AND REHABILITATE EXISTING EQUIP MENT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE ESCAPE OF EMISSIONS FROM THE BU ILDING IN WHICH THE FURNANCE ARE LOCATED. IN ADDITION, REGI ON V RECOMMENDS A SIGNIFICANT CASH PENALTY ($200,000) BECAUS E OF UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WIT H THIS COURT ORDER. ISSUES OF NATIONAL AND PRECEDENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE WE HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ANY MATTER OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE THA T ARE CONNECTED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION. RECOMMENDED ACTION I RECOMMENED THAT THIS CASE BE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR IMMEDIATE FILING.

Defendants (1)

• U.S. STEELNamed 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 1988-06-27

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $150,000

Timeline (9 milestones)

• 1985-06-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1985-06-28Referred To Headquarters
• 1985-07-22Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1985-08-29Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1985-09-18Complaint Filed With Court
• 1988-06-27Final Order Lodged
• 1988-06-27Final Order Entered
• 1988-06-27Concluded
• 1988-06-27Enforcement Action Closed