February 14, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that the United States Steel Corporation-Great Lakes Works (US Steel) of Ecorse has, through the entry of an Administrative Consent Order, agreed to bring air emissions from its Ecorse located integrated steel mill into compliance with federal and state air regulations.

The Consent Order, negotiated between the DEQ and US Steel, is designed to bring resolution to several ongoing environmental issues at the facility. The facility has had a history of non-compliance with Air Quality regulations dating back to the time before US Steel acquired the facility from National Steel Corporation in May of 2003. The terms of the Consent Order will resolve violations of state and federal regulations and permit limits involving excessive emissions of particulate matter from the US Steel facility.

As part of the Consent Order, US Steel has agreed to install and upgrade air pollution control equipment at its Ecorse site; conduct an ongoing comprehensive Operation and Maintenance Program to detect, correct, and prevent any possible future non-compliance at the facility; undertake a Supplemental Environmental Project involving the expenditure of $200,000 to restore a portion of the Detroit River shoreline to a more natural state; and conduct air emission testing to demonstrate compliance with federal and state air regulations. In addition, US Steel has agreed to pay a civil fine of $950,000 to the State of Michigan.

“The DEQ is committed to ensuring that businesses uphold their responsibility to protect the health of Michigan’s citizens,” said Director Chester. “I am pleased that US Steel has committed to taking the necessary steps towards significant improvement to air quality, making its Ecorse facility a better worksite for its employees, and a better neighbor to the community.”

US Steel will be subject to fines of $5,000 per violation per day for any future violations of the Consent Order.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised February 14, 2005 by Pat Watson