UPDATE: Federal Judge Hardy Approves the Proposed Consent Agreement Between PennEnvironment and the Clean Air Council, and U.S. Steel for Violations of the Federal Clean Air Act

PENNSYLVANIA (March 26, 2024) Today, federal Judge Hardy signed the proposed consent agreement between Clean Air Council, PennEnvironment, and U.S. Steel. This is the final step in finalizing this historic consent decree and citizen suit penalty against U.S. Steel for their ongoing air pollution violations due to power outages at the Clairton Coke Works. The agreement mandates that U.S. Steel will pay a $5 million penalty — by far the largest in a Clean Air Act citizen enforcement suit in Pennsylvania history, and one of the three largest ever nationally.  Most of the penalty money ($4.5 million) will fund public health projects directly benefiting Mon Valley communities suffering from poor air quality near the three U.S. Steel plants. 

Clean Air Council Executive Director Alex Bomstein issued the following statement:

“Today marks a historic step forward in protecting Mon Valley residents from harmful pollution. It is a huge win that Judge Hardy has approved this settlement without changes and that it now has the power of the court behind it. This landmark agreement will go a long way in funding much-needed public health projects and holding U.S. Steel accountable for their operations.”  

Read the original blog post when we proposed this historic consent agreement settlement.