Suit filed against U.S. Steel

By Jamie Martines

Environmental groups are moving forward with a lawsuit against U.S. Steel over alleged federal Clean Air Act violations.
PennEnvironment and the Clean Air Council announced Monday that the lawsuit has been filed in United States District Court. The suit contends that U.S. Steel has been violating the federal Clean Air Act since a Dec. 24 fire at the Clairton Coke Works damaged equipment, hindering the facility’s ability to clean coke oven gas and control pollution.
“No one, not even an iconic company like U.S. Steel, should be allowed to break the law and put the health of Pittsburghers at risk,” said Ashleigh Deemer, Western Pennsylvania director with Penn- Environment. “In the 21st century, it’s unacceptable for a company to run what amounts to a doomsday machine that has no off switch. Unfortunately, U.S. Steel has put the health of our region and our environment at risk for generations.”
Under the Clean Air Act, private individuals and organizations must give alleged violators 60 days notice before filing a lawsuit in federal court.