A sudden flare-off of gas lit up the sky at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works early Saturday during a storm. Video of the event was sent to media outlets by the anti-pollution group Breathe Project.
U.S. Steel released this statement Saturday morning:
“Early this morning, August 12, our Clairton Plant lost power during severe storms. The power was restored quickly, but we are flaring gas, in line with our operating permit, as we work to bring each portion of the plant back online safely.
“No employees were injured, and we have been in communication with relevant government agencies. Safety remains our top priority as we work to resolve the situation.”
The company said the situation will be updated as things progress.
The Allegheny County Health Department, which monitors emissions from the plant, issued the following statement early Saturday afternoon attributed to ACHD Environmental Health Deputy Director Geoff Rabinowitz:
“At approximately 4:15 a.m., U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works reported to the Allegheny County Health Department that the facility experienced a lightning strike that impacted operations. According to U.S. Steel, multiple facility control rooms lost power, which required flaring to take place. U.S. Steel further reported they are in the process of restarting the control room compressors, as an additional control room comes online, the need for flaring will diminish, and normal, or near normal, operations are expected this evening.
“The Allegheny County Health Department’s Air Quality Program has been in regular contact with representatives at the facility and monitoring the situation closely.” It said readings from the program’s Liberty air quality monitor for particulates and sulfur dioxide have remained in the “good” to “moderate” range since the incident.
Lightning strikes occurred about 4 a.m., resulting in the power failure for the plant about 4:15 a.m., confirmed Debra Smit, communications director for the Breathe Project.
Before the flares, Clairton ranked among the top 10 in the country for poor air quality, said Ms. Smit Saturday morning.
“The emissions are awful, but the wind during the storms is dispersing the pollution,” she said.
First Published: August 12, 2023, 4:17 p.m.
Updated: August 12, 2023, 11:36 p.m.