The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant.

U.S. Steel fires spark community backlash

By Erica Guthrie, Senior Staff Writer • June 25, 2019
Air quality groups in Pittsburgh are fired up over a string of fires — including a recent incident on June 13 — at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, located about 30 minutes south of Oakland.
Dave Smith, outreach coordinator of the Clean Air Council, speaks at a Tuesday afternoon press conference about air pollution in the Mon Valley.

Activists call for independent audit of troubled U. S. Steel plant

By Jon Moss, News Editor • June 20, 2019
Activists with Pittsburgh’s Breathe Project met outside the U.S. Steel Tower Tuesday afternoon and declared “enough is enough,” calling for an independent audit of U.S. Steel’s troubled Clairton Coke Works plant.
U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant.

Editorial | Pennsylvania politicians need to take Clairton pollution seriously

By Pitt News Editorial Board • June 18, 2019
We place trust in these politicians to protect us, and their refusal to acknowledge the health and environmental violations is doing the opposite.
U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant.

Fire at U. S. Steel plant cuts power to key pollution control systems

By Jon Moss, News Editor • June 18, 2019
An electrical fire occurred at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant early Monday morning rendering desulfurization, or pollution control, systems inoperational, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.
A Code Orange air quality alert appeared on many smartphones and weather apps on Saturday.

Editorial: Air quality concerns require stronger action

By The Pitt News Editorial Board • February 7, 2019
The number of air quality alerts issued lately is cause for great concern. It feels as if we’re sliding backwards with our air quality, and this is something we absolutely can’t allow to happen.
Coke is used as fuel for iron ore smelting and metalworking processes.

Editorial: To protect Mon Valley, U.S. Steel must change

By The Pitt News Editorial Board • January 18, 2019
The Clairton Coke Works plant has a long history of pollution violations. With the health of local residents at stake, U.S. Steel must finally commit to improving the coke plant’s track record.
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