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EPA declares victory over Sparrows Point pollution projects actually mired in delays

Brew Editors 6 months ago, March 5, 2010 View Comments

by MARK REUTTER

Mission Accomplished? Sure sounds that way if you read the latest Sparrows Point “Corrective Action Progress Report” issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

 The document trumpets the progress of the waste minimization projects at the Sparrows Point steel mill and, as evidence, cites the completion of two recycling facilities.

Meanwhile, a Brew posting yesterday highlighted the lack of progress in opening these facilities – 13 years after the company promised to install the equipment.

Technically, the report is correct when it says that a fume sludge recycling facility “has been completed.” But the report neglects to say that the facility has been out of service for the last two years and there is no scheduled date for reopening the unit.

A hydrocyclone slurry facility is listed thusly: “Completion of the project is projected in 2008.”

 In fact, Severstal North America failed to authorize capital funds for the unit’s construction. The company has told EPA that the project remains on hold, with no funds expended in 2009 and none expected to be spent in 2010.

Andrew Fan, EPA’s project manager for Sparrows Point, is the author of the report. Fan did not answer e-mails seeking comment. But Donna Heron, press officer for EPA, issued this statement yesterday:

“The discrepancy you noticed was an oversight during the last update in December. The fact sheet is due for another update soon and that information will be corrected.”

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