The Allegheny County Health Department issued over $200,000 of penalties against U.S. Steel for air pollution and permit violations that occurred at the Clairton Coke Works during the first quarter of 2021.
In a statement from the health department, officials announced $201,500 in stipulated penalties for pollution violations and permit violations that occurred at the site through March 31, 2021.
Ninety percent of that total — or $181,350 — will be paid to the Community Benefit Trust for impacted communities.
The Community Benefit Trust was established in accordance with a settlement the health department reached with U.S. Steel in 2019, which addressed 2018 and 2019 enforcement orders and subsequent appeals. That settlement established an agreement that 90% of all battery fugitive emissions violations at the Clairton Coke Works would be deposited into the trust.
Those funds will be used for projects that will “improve, protect or reduce the risk to public health or the environment,” according to an agreement outlining the terms of the trust. The trust was established to support communities impacted by air pollution from the facility — including Clairton, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port View.
The remaining 10% of the penalties against U.S. Steel — equaling $20,150 — will be paid to the Clean Air Fund, a fund where penalties from polluters emission violations are deposited.
Clean Air Fund dollars are used to support initiatives such as improving air quality in Allegheny County, public education and health effects studies and surveys concerning air pollution and the purchase of equipment, services or facilities to support the air quality program.
