What you need to know about soot, U.S. Steel and Pittsburgh’s air

Reid FrazierFebruary 16, 2024

How the latest news about a new soot standard, a settlement with U.S. Steel and EPA's rejection of the company's air permit could impact Pittsburgh's air.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

EPA sends U.S. Steel air pollution permit back to the drawing board

Reid FrazierFebruary 12, 2024

EPA has ordered Allegheny County to revise its air permit for U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson plant to include stronger testing and monitoring requirements.

Pollution

New EPA rule could rein in air pollution in Western Pennsylvania

Sarah BodenFebruary 8, 2024

EPA's new rule for soot in ambient air will prevent 4,500 premature deaths nationwide. Allegheny County stands to benefit too.

HealthPollution

Environmental groups, residents hail ‘historic’ settlement in case against Clairton Coke Works

Julia ZenkevichJanuary 30, 2024

In addition to $19.5 million in upgrades, U.S. Steel will pay $5 million to communities, "the largest" in a citizen Clean Air Act lawsuit in Pa.

Pollution

U.S. Steel reaches landmark deal with county, environmental groups over 2018 fire

Reid FrazierJanuary 26, 2024

The settlement includes the closure of a coke battery, $19.5 million in upgrades and $4.5 million for local communities impacted by the fire. 

Pollution

Allegheny County fines U.S. Steel another $2M for rotten egg smell releases

Reid FrazierJanuary 10, 2024

The county found the company’s Clairton coke works caused hydrogen sulfide levels at the nearby air monitor to surpass standards 159 times between March 2022 and November 2023.

Pollution

Allegheny County aims to bring cleaner indoor air to child care centers

Sarah BodenDecember 13, 2023

Twenty child care centers located in communities disproportionately harmed by pollution and industry will participate in the program.

Environmental JusticeHealth

Outside a coal and steel conference, residents rally against pollution

Reid FrazierNovember 9, 2023

About 30 people attended a rally organized by local environmental groups to protest outside of a conference about metallurgical coal co-sponsored by Norfolk Southern.

EnergyEnvironmental JusticeHealthPollution

In Clairton, U.S. Steel debuts an all-electric locomotive, a first in North America

Reid FrazierOctober 31, 2023

The new locomotives will save 40 thousand gallons of diesel fuel a year and emit no CO2. 

Climate ChangePollutionTransportation

EPA rejects part of U.S. Steel’s air quality permit for the Clairton Coke Works

Julie GrantOctober 6, 2023

Environmental groups argued the permit doesn't have proper testing, monitoring and reporting requirements for several pollutants. EPA agreed.

Pollution