Editor’s Note: The original version of this story appeared on SooToday.com.
Essar Steel Algoma said it has spent $140 million on environmental controls since 2003 to clean the air in Sault Ste. Marie, in an effort to reduce the risks posed to public health.
The company provided the information during a June 23 open house to make public the environmental measures it has taken to cut down on harmful emissions of pollution involved in the steelmaking process.
"That's the kind of investment going to be required by coke facilities to be in compliance with the new standards that are coming into effect…with a substantial amount more to come," said Fred Post, Essar Steel Algoma’s manager of environmental control.
"The controls we have planned, the investments we have planned over the next two to three years, I would say there will be a very substantial, noticeable difference in the air quality in the Sault as a result, no question."
Plans are in the works to replace equipment on the batteries, which are focused on emission reductions, Post said. For example, work is underway to revitalize the plant’s number 7 battery, the oldest at the site, which will help upgrade much of the facility.
"I would go out on a limb to say I think this is the single largest pollution reduction initiative in the province (among Ontario steelmakers)," Post said.
"It's an ongoing process (to cut down on harmful emissions) but it's been ramping up.”
Measures the steelmaker has taken to cut down on harmful emissions from its cokemaking operations include:
-$15 million repair and retrofit to its number 7 coke battery
-$20 million individual oven pressure control system on its number 9 battery
-$8 million for installation of door and jamb cleaners on its number 7 coke battery
-$78 million progressive replacement of coke oven walls on its numbers 8 and 9 coke batteries
-$2.6 million for upgrades to its Dekish emission capture system
-$4 million expansion of by-product benzene emission control system
-$2 million for the extension of a berm to reduce windblown coal dust
-$6.5 million clean sweep, which includes some demolition, recycling of scrap metal and greening of parts of the property$3.85 million for installation of noise mufflers to cut down on noise pollution.
