Health Department Extends Comment Period on Coke Plant

The Allegheny County Health Department has extended the deadline for public comment on a proposed permit for a new U.S. Steel coke plant in Clairton from June 5 to June 19. This new coke plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art pollution controls and will significantly increase air quality in the Liberty/Clairton area. ACHD has already received over 100 comments since May 7. ACHD spokesman Guillermo Cole says the comment period will conclude on the 19th with a public hearing as is standard on all permits potentially issued by the health department. After the comment extension, U.S. Steel is set to receive the permit on July 14 and will begin working on the 3-year project immediately.