Some current and former workers at Clairton Coke Works say poor management and underinvestment have exacerbated air pollution and undermined workplace safety at the plant. It shut down pollution control equipment and led to repeated releases of air pollution, according to a lawsuit filed by environmental groups after the incident. In 2023, the Allegheny County Health Department fined U.S. Steel more than $2 million for violations at Clairton Coke Works. Just 11 facilities, including Clairton Coke Works, have faced $10 million in penalties or more in the last five years. “The Clairton Coke Plant is an important part of our North American Flat-Rolled integrated operations,” the company said in November.

Source: The Star February 12, 2026 14:43 UTC