NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
August 10, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 276
Contact: Carol Riggs, Public Affairs, (302) 739-9902 or Brad Klotz, Division of Air Quality, (302) 323-4542
DNREC to Require Comprehensive Technology Upgrades
at Evraz Claymont Steel to Improve Air Quality
CLAYMONT – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Collin O’Mara and Michael Rehwinkel, President and CEO, Evraz Inc. North America, have signed a Consent Decree that requires Evraz Claymont Steel to implement a comprehensive series of investments and operational changes to control dust and other emissions at the facility. These investments will include the installation of state-of-the-art pollution controls to significantly improve air-quality in neighborhoods surrounding the Claymont Steel mill. The agreement resolves outstanding compliance issues and builds upon years of civic leadership by local residents to improve the health of their community.
The Consent Decree is another component of the state's efforts to reduce air pollution statewide to improve public health and environmental outcomes. Under the agreement, DNREC will require Evraz to control emissions from several operations in the facility’s melt shop by modernizing an existing baghouse (particulate collection and filter system), increasing baghouse capacity, and installing additional equipment. Evraz will also be required to continue its enhanced mercury pollution prevention program begun in January 2007 to reduce mercury sources and emissions.
“This agreement is a significant step forward for air quality,” said Governor Jack Markell. “It also represents a major commitment by Evraz to invest in Delaware and its future here and will position it to continue as a significant contributor to our local economy in a more environmentally sensitive manner.”
Other requirements include the implementation of operational practices that will reduce the potential for emissions and continued particulate monitoring around the facility. The agreement also establishes schedules for the acquisition of permits and other approvals, and financial stipulated penalties if the terms and conditions are not met.
Specifically, the order requires Evraz to take numerous actions, including:
o Design, facilitate and install additional baghouse capacity and capture equipment no later than August 2013.
o Install state-of the-art control technology and to capture emissions from the electric arc furnace, stir station and ladle reheat operations and direct emissions to a baghouse
o Move the slag cooling operations currently conducted outside to inside the melt shop within six months of the effective date of the order.
o Relocate the ladle slag dump area inside of the facility and install a water suppression system.
o Implement feed controls at the stir station until additional baghouse capacity and associated equipment are operational.
o Modify the tapping hood to ensure proper alignment for tapping operation and for use during the ladle reheat process.
o Submit an updated Title V renewal permit application within 30 days of the order’s effective date.
o Maintain operations of four ambient air quality monitors and submit monitoring reports to DNREC.
o Continue to implement its enhanced mercury pollution prevention program, including quarterly testing for mercury emissions from appropriate units.
“For too long, residents of this community have lived with dust emissions that could be reduced by utilizing modern technology. This agreement promotes public health by improving air quality and will ensure that the mill operates more cleanly, particularly as new business opportunities present themselves in offshore wind and other emerging industries here in Delaware,” said Secretary O’Mara. “The citizens who joined together to improve local air quality are to be commended for their unwavering dedication to their community, as is the new leadership team of Evraz who is walking the talk about being a good corporate neighbor.”
In July 2009, under the advice of the Citizens Involvement Advisory Committee, Secretary O’Mara awarded the Claymont Community Coalition a $33,770 Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) grant for a dust study. The project will be conducted through November 15, 2010. Community Dust Study Team volunteers will take 112 ambient air samples and conduct analyses of selected samples. The Dust Study Team consists of Dee Whildin, Jeanette Matinas, Babak Golgolab, Barbara Harbin, Leroy Pfarmer, and Thomas Tucker. The late George Losse was also a member.
Evraz Claymont Steel, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Evraz Inc. North America, manufactures and sells custom-order steel plates and recycles scrap metal from the consumer and industrial refuse stream. Since acquiring the facility from Claymont Steel Holdings, Inc. in January 2008, Evraz has invested in improving the environmental performance of the facility including completing projects that were required of, but not completed by, the facility’s previous owner. These improvements include projects to enhance air pollution control practices, as well as voluntary measures to help control dust from the facility, including paving a large area of the site that was previously exposed.
If the terms of the agreement are approved by the court, the Consent Decree will resolve outstanding compliance issues related to fugitive dust emissions and mercury emissions from the facility, including issues remaining from two conciliation orders issued in 2006. The agreement was signed August 9 and filed in Chancery Court today.
The consent decree is available at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders.aspx.
