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EPA Preliminary Finding Says WCI Steel Violates Clean-Air Standards

Posted on: Wednesday, 31 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

Aug. 30--WARREN -- WCI Steel has been cited for potential violations of federal clean-air standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a preliminary finding of violations Monday. The citation involves an open trough that carries slag from the blast furnace to a pit at the Warren steel mill. Slag is waste byproduct of iron making.

The preliminary findings say the trough, called a slag runner, should be hooded and fumes exhausted to a nearby control device. The finding follows an inspection in March.

Tim Roberts, a WCI spokesman, said company officials think the slag runner is in compliance with regulations and they will meet with federal officials to present their case. The EPA gives companies 30 days to discuss such allegations.

Roberts said the slag runner has operated under a permit since 1978 and has never before been found to be in violation. The trough carries slag after it has been skimmed off the top of the molten iron that is produced in the blast furnace.

Bill Omohundro, an EPA spokesman, said it's too early to talk about potential penalties. The EPA's options include issuing a compliance order, assessing an administrative penalty or filing a lawsuit.

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Source: Vindicator

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