Catastrophe at a U.S. Steel facility in Pennsylvania results in the loss of two lives. crucial details unveiled
U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works: A History of Explosions, Accidents, and Pollution
The Clairton Coke Works, a plant owned by U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania, has a long and troubled history marked by significant explosions, injuries, deaths, and pollution concerns. This plant, the largest coke-producing facility in North America, converts coal into coke, a key component in the steel-making process, producing about 4.3 million tons annually.
A Troubled Past
The plant's history is marred by several incidents, including the death of a maintenance worker, Nick Revetta, in an explosion in 2009. In July 2010, an explosion injured 20 workers, one of whom suffered burns over 40% of his body with permanent disfigurement. A catastrophic fire in February 2018 damaged key pollution control equipment, and an explosion in February 2021 was caused by a buildup of combustible material in a coke oven battery. The most recent incident, an explosion in August 2021, resulted in the death of two people and injured more than 10 others.
Pollution Concerns
The plant is one of Pennsylvania’s largest sources of air pollution, with chronic violations of the Clean Air Act. U.S. Steel has paid over $10 million in penalties for air pollution violations at Clairton in recent years. The 2018 fire led to a $42 million settlement for environmental violations due to damaged pollution controls. Environmental advocates and local officials have described the plant as "decrepit" and criticized the company’s approach to maintenance and pollution control.
Corporate Changes
U.S. Steel, founded in 1901, has been an icon of the American steel industry and has helped build notable structures such as the United Nations headquarters in New York City and the New Orleans Superdome. Recently, U.S. Steel entered a deal to be acquired by Nippon Steel of Japan, a move that indicates a change in ownership or control in the near term.
The acquisition, finalized in June 2020, has made U.S. Steel a subsidiary of Japan's largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel. The combined company is the world's fourth-largest steelmaker. It remains to be seen how this change in ownership will impact the plant's safety record and environmental performance.
The Clairton Coke Works is one of four major plants in Pennsylvania owned by U.S. Steel. The last death at the Clairton Coke Works occurred in 2014, and U.S. Steel was fined $143,500 for safety violations following an explosion in July 2010 that injured 14 employees and six contractors. U.S. Steel agreed to settle a lawsuit regarding air pollution from Clairton for $8.5 million in 2019.
As the Clairton Coke Works continues to operate, it is crucial that the new ownership takes steps to address the plant's safety issues and environmental concerns to ensure the well-being of its workers and the surrounding community.
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