Clairton Coke Works receives violation notice

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

The Clairton Coke Works has been issued a notice of violation for exceedances of hydrogen sulfide ambient air quality standards.

In a prepared statement Thursday, Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra L. Bogen announced the notice of violation, which was given based on air quality data measured at the monitor in Liberty Borough this year and last.

The notice, according to ACHD, covers 25 exceedances from 2020 and seven to date in 2021.

Bogen said the notice is the first step for any enforcement action, including civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation per day.

The health department director explained that hydrogen sulfide, also known as H2S, is a colorless gas most commonly recognized by its “rotten egg” smell.

U.S. Steel has 14 days to schedule a meeting with ACHD to discuss the notice of violation before the health department can proceed with further enforcement action, according to Bogen.

“We received the Notice of Violation (NOV) today and are reviewing it.” U.S. Steel corporate spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said in an email to the Mon Valley Independent Thursday evening. “There are many local and regional sources of H2S, and we plan to meet with the Allegheny County Health Department, as offered in the NOV.”

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