EES Coke, a facility owned by DTE Energy, has emerged as a significant environmental concern following a recent report revealing its status as the largest emitter of sulfur dioxide among all coke facilities reviewed. The report highlights alarming pollution levels, particularly when compared to the Clairton coke facility in Pennsylvania, which boasts three times the production capacity yet emits less sulfur dioxide. This disparity raises serious questions about the facility's operational practices and their impact on public health.
The report outlines the severe health implications associated with EES Coke's emissions. It estimates that the facility contributes to 29 to 57 premature deaths each year and is linked to over 15,000 cases of asthma symptoms in the surrounding communities. In addition, the pollution from EES Coke results in approximately 2,707 lost workdays and 3,329 lost school days annually. Such statistics underscore the urgent need for action to address the public health crisis exacerbated by industrial pollution.
Cleveland-Cliffs' Dearborn Works, another facility in Michigan, also presents concerning health statistics, albeit at a lower level than EES Coke. It is associated with 11 to 23 premature deaths annually and 5,355 cases of asthma symptoms. While these figures are less severe, they nonetheless highlight the broader health impacts of steel production in the region. Combined, these two facilities are estimated to impose health costs ranging from $600 million to $1.2 billion on Michigan communities each year.
Environmental advocates have voiced strong concerns regarding the ongoing pollution from these facilities. Kathryn Savoie of the Clear the Air Coalition stated that outdated steelmaking processes are endangering residents' health and called for a shift towards cleaner, more sustainable production methods. The need for immediate action is underscored by the pending lawsuit against EES Coke and DTE concerning the facility’s sulfur dioxide emissions and its efforts to obtain permits to increase pollution limits.
The report also reveals systemic inequalities in the impact of steel production on health, particularly affecting low-income communities and people of color living near these facilities. The data suggests that these populations bear a disproportionate burden of health risks associated with pollution from steelmaking operations.
While some steel companies, including Cleveland-Cliffs, are beginning to explore cleaner technologies, progress remains slow. Cleveland-Cliffs has received federal funding to support cleaner practices at its other facilities, including plans to reduce coal usage by injecting hydrogen into the blast furnace at its Indiana Harbor plant. However, experts caution that such incremental changes may not adequately address the overall pollution problem, as significant coal usage remains a core component of current practices.
The report advocates for stronger regulatory oversight and the implementation of stricter emission limits to mitigate the health impacts of steel production. It calls for a transition to cleaner technologies, such as green hydrogen-powered direct reduced iron and electric arc furnaces, which could eliminate the reliance on coal and significantly reduce harmful emissions. The urgent need for a comprehensive approach to tackle these issues has never been more critical, given the substantial health risks associated with the current state of the steel industry in Michigan.
