Residents, activists, union workers and U.S. Steel weighed in on new rules that could reduce air pollution from the Clairton Coke Works at a public hearing Wednesday night.
US Steel reported releases of sulfur dioxide to local regulators after a Christmas Eve fire knocked out pollution controls. But two environmental groups said the company also should have reported releases of other hazardous pollutants.
If the plant is allowed to maintain production while it fixes damaged pollution controls, a state representative said, it means choosing business over residents’ health, “and we’re here to say that that is not the case anymore.”
They’re concerned about how much time went by between the fire that damaged pollution controls and a public notice about high pollution levels.
