Ministry says Dofasco emission improvements key to getting exemption

The province says it expects to see ongoing improvements in ArcelorMittal Dofascos air quality emissions as a condition of renewingthe steelmaker'sexemption to Ontarios environmental standards.

Nearly 10 years ago, the Ministry of Environment passed new stringent air quality standards for Ontario industries. ArcelorMittal Dofasco couldnt meet them with the technology available, so the two sides hammered out an alternative set of emissions standards, known as site-specific standards. The ability to do so was contained in the new standards, and all Ontario steelmakers have applied for the exemptions.

In October, ArcelorMittal Dofasco will apply to the province to renew its site-specific standards for another five years.

The ministry knows its benchmarks might outpace available technology, said Kate Jordan, ministry spokesperson. Every iron and steel mill in Ontario has applied for the site specific exemptions while they make the improvements.

We do recognize that they might not be achievable by a facility because of technical or economic limitations at a specific facility, she said. Generally speaking its just because you just dont have the technology to do it.

But it wants to see gradual improvements too, Jordan said. Companies must show an investment in using the best-available control technology.

Its not like youre just going to stick at what you are, Jordan said.

• RELATED:Dofasco seeking an extension to 5-year plan for emission upgrades

ArcelorMittal Dofasco held a public open house earlier this month onits planned improvements, a requirement to renew its site-specific standards.

It plans to spend $135 million on various upgrades it says will lower toxic emissions. Among them is a plan to shut down coke oven #1 and truck coke a key ingredient in making steel from a Pennsylvania plant. Coke ovens #2 and #3 will be upgraded at a cost of $87 million.

ArcelorMittal Dofascos current site-specific standards are for total sulfur and suspended particles. Its asking for new site-specific standards for benzene and benzo(a)pyrene.

The company is making $700 million in facility upgrades from 2011 to 2016. Its committed to continuous improvement in every aspect of its operations, it said in an email.

Once the coke oven work is done, said Jim Stirling, general manager, environment,Hamiltonians will see a marked difference in the level of emissions.

Theres going to be a significant reduction."

Lynda Lukasik, executive director of Environment Hamilton, says the plan isnt enough. She wanted to see the standards in place by 2010.

I worry people are going to walk away tonight and think Oh great, theyve made progress and everythings fine, she said at the meeting last week. But its a very different story.

U.S. Steel has also applied to renew its site-specific standards.