Sault Ste. Marie's Algoma Steel reports a successful commissioning of a portable baghouse in its No. 7 blast furnace.

 The device is one of a number of measures to reduce air emissions in preparation for the start-up of a second mothballed furnace.

"These units will serve as excellent interim measures until we take delivery of the permanent emission control systems in December of this year and the fall of 2009, says Algoma Chief Operating Officer Armando Plastino in a May 13 release.

With its new India owner, Essar Steel, planning to dramatically increase steel production, the company is investing $70 million in emission controls.

Community open houses have been scheduled for May 27-28.