murphy.house.gov

Murphy
Contact:
Mitchell Vakerics 202.225.2301



Murphy Joins Local Leaders at U.S. Steel Groundbreaking

New Facility to Bring Hundreds of Jobs to the Community


Pittsburgh, Oct 22 -

Today Congressman Tim Murphy joined state and local officials at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant to break ground on its newest project to construct environmentally advanced coke batteries and a cogeneration facility, along with the environmentally focused rehabilitation of several existing coke batteries.


“Not only will this project keep the U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works going stronger than ever, but will create hundreds of new jobs right here in our backyard, “said Congressman Murphy.


The new coke batteries would replace the current capacity of several older units and incorporate state-of-the-art emissions control technology that would meet all regulatory requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Allegheny County Health Department.


The new coke making and emissions control technology combined with the rehabilitation work will result in significant improvements in the Clairton Plant's overall environmental performance. Coke oven gas from coke battery operations would be consumed in the proposed cogeneration facility to supply electricity for all three Pittsburgh-area Mon Valley Works facilities: the Clairton Plant; the Edgar Thomson Plant, a steelmaking operation in Braddock, Pa.; and the Irvin Plant, a rolling and finishing facility in West Mifflin, Pa.


“I commend U.S. Steel for its commitment to clean air for the benefit of public health and safety.  The construction of these new coke batteries will save energy and reduce carbon dioxide air emissions and will help make the more than 250 years of clean-burning coal reserves we have in Southwestern Pennsylvania as efficient and valuable as possible.”


“Pittsburgh grew because of energy, and its future will be because of new energy development. As a member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I want to thank U.S. Steel for keeping this project in Pennsylvania, which helps keep and grow the steel industry in our region, and helps the United States remain competitive in the world market,” concluded Murphy.   



                                                                     ###