Report: Coal-based steelmaking causes hundreds of premature deaths and billions in health costs nationwide

Reid FrazierNovember 6, 2024

It also found nearly 250,000 cases of asthma every year were caused as a result of the air pollution from coal-based steel, such as at U.S. Steel's Mon Valley plants.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

Judge approves $600 million settlement for Ohio derailment but not everyone is satisfied

Julie GrantSeptember 27, 2024

A federal judge approved the settlement between residents and Norfolk Southern for the damage caused by its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

East PalestinePollution

Should the federal government support a massive recycling plant in Erie that will make plastics for steelmaking?

Julie GrantSeptember 23, 2024

Supporters see an opportunity to reuse plastic waste and create jobs, while some residents and environmental groups say it’s a bad idea. 

Climate ChangePollution

Allegheny County is offering $5M to support clean air projects. No one has applied

Kiley KoscinskiSeptember 20, 2024

Municipalities and organizations can submit ideas for fleet electrification, tree canopy expansion, equipment electrification, and climate resiliency/adaptation projects. But do it ASAP!

HealthPollution

Environmental groups sue EPA over coke oven battery rules

Julie GrantSeptember 5, 2024

They want the EPA to do more to protect nearby communities from hazardous pollutants like benzene, arsenic, lead and mercury.

HealthPollution

EPA coke oven rule to bring new monitoring requirements to U.S. Steel’s Clairton plant

Reid FrazierJune 6, 2024

The new rule will require U.S. Steel to set up fenceline monitoring for benzene, a carginogen, around its coke plant. 

Environmental JusticePollution

Air pollution decreased, but still causes hundreds of deaths a year in Allegheny County

Julie GrantMay 24, 2024

The report finds up to 1373 people died annually in Allegheny County from 2020 to 2022 from exposures to fine particulate matter.

HealthPollution

Allegheny County’s Clean Air Fund could do more to fight pollution, controller says

Julia ZenkevichMay 23, 2024

County Controller Corey O'Connor says the fund is “not being spent quick enough and it's not being spent in communities that need it the most."

Pollution

New EPA rules could force emissions limits, monitoring at Clairton Coke Works

Reid FrazierMay 21, 2024

The coke oven rules are expected to set new limits for several hazardous chemicals and require fenceline monitoring for benzene.

Pollution

Allegheny County fines U.S. Steel nearly $2 million for air quality violations

90.5 WESAMarch 1, 2024

Allegheny County Health Department fined U.S. Steel again, this time for 362 operating permit violations at its Clairton Coke Works.

Pollution