BALTIMORE, MD (August 9, 2007) –The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) today announce a settlement with ISG Sparrows Point (ISG) to address air pollution violations that occurred at their Sparrows Point steel-making facility. A Consent Order between ISG and MDE requires ISG to address the violations as well as to pay a penalty of $98,500.

The violations include hot metal dumping without having the required carbon dioxide particulate suppression system operational, operating the sinter plant without the required fugitive dust baghouse in operation, failure to adequately maintain the availability of the opacity continuous emission monitor systems on the Pennwood boilers, and failure to meet a deadline for compliance with air toxics requirements contained in a previous Consent Order. While some of the violations have since been corrected, the Order contains dates by which the other violations must be resolved.

Due to the nature and size of the emissions and violations involved, this case has been reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a High Priority Violator

For more information about MDE Enforcement and Compliance, visit: mde.maryland.gov/Pages/enfcomp.aspx.

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