All News Releases By Date

Complaint against Erie Coke for Clean Air Act violations filed today by the U.S. Attorney for EPA and Pa. DEP

Release Date: 09/22/2009
Contact Information: Margaret Philbin, U.S.Attorney’s Office, 412-894-7312 Teresa Candori, Pa DEP 717-787-1323, [email protected] Bonnie Smith, EPA, 215-814-5543, [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA (September 22, 2009) — The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint today on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection against Erie Coke Corporation for Clean Air Act violations at its coke foundry in Erie, Pa.

The complaint alleges visible air emissions above allowable limits and improper maintenance and operation of its coke ovens. In addition, the complaint alleges Erie Coke did not conduct required annual emissions testing for one boiler since 1999 and another boiler since 2003.

The complaint requires Erie Coke to obtain the necessary permits and undertake expeditiously all actions necessary to comply with the Clean Air Act, including provisions of the Pennsylvania state implementation plan. Additionally, under the complaint, Erie Coke could be subject to fines up to $32,500 per day for each violation occurring since March, 15, 2004, and $37,500 per day for each violation after Jan. 12, 2009.

Before filing today’s complaint, EPA and Pennsylvania DEP fully investigated the operations of the 58 coke ovens at Erie Coke Works to evaluate what is needed for the ovens to operate effectively and within the regulations.

The complaint was lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.