September 18, 2009
Rachel De LazzerThe Hamilton Spectator(Sep 18, 2009)
Rachel De LazzerThe Hamilton Spectator(Sep 18, 2009)
ArcelorMittal Dofasco says it will spend more than $16 million on pollution control measures but still won't be able to meet new provincial air-quality standards.
More than $10 million of the funds will be invested by the end of 2010, while the rest will be phased in over the next four years.
More than $10 million of the funds will be invested by the end of 2010, while the rest will be phased in over the next four years.
A Ministry of Environment regulation requires strict standards, but allows for the fact that it may take some facilities longer to make adjustments to meet them, which is why Dofasco is applying to attain alternative standards.
Calling it their Blue Skies Air Quality Action Plan, the company made the announcement last night at a public meeting before submitting its application to the MOE, which is due Sept. 30.
Calling it their Blue Skies Air Quality Action Plan, the company made the announcement last night at a public meeting before submitting its application to the MOE, which is due Sept. 30.
The meeting was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 58 on Barton Street East across from Centre Mall.
"We've had a group of people that have spent an awful lot of time and ... effort learning our plant and ... and benchmarking facilities around the world," said Jim Stirling, general manager, environment with Dofasco. "We're going to be submitting what I believe is a very fulsome and well-thought-out application."
"We've had a group of people that have spent an awful lot of time and ... effort learning our plant and ... and benchmarking facilities around the world," said Jim Stirling, general manager, environment with Dofasco. "We're going to be submitting what I believe is a very fulsome and well-thought-out application."
Dofasco says the plan will result in making various equipment upgrades to reduce four contaminants. Two of the substances are emitted from coke ovens and the coke byproducts plant. Benzene, a known human carcinogen, and benzo (a) pyrene or BaP, a possible carcinogen that is also found in charcoal-broiled meat.
The other two are dust from roads, parking lots and other process sources, and total reduced sulphur.
Standards for dust go into effect February 2010, and for sulphur February, 2013.
Standards for dust go into effect February 2010, and for sulphur February, 2013.
Dofasco says its action plan will lead to a:
* 27 per cent reduction in BaP
* 82 per cent reduction in benzene
* 20 per cent reduction in TRS (total reduced sulphur)
4 per cent reduction in TSP (total suspended particulate, or dust)
* 27 per cent reduction in BaP
* 82 per cent reduction in benzene
* 20 per cent reduction in TRS (total reduced sulphur)
4 per cent reduction in TSP (total suspended particulate, or dust)
"We'll reduce our TSP more than the four per cent modelled because our largest source is not included in the model," said Stirling.
Residents were few in number at less than 20.
"It didn't really address why citizens would want to come here, which is to find out: Are levels going to reduce enough so that we can see a difference?" said Dwayne Brown, co-chair of the Crown Point Community Planning Team.
He said he felt the graphs and charts were more about science and numbers than effects on health, and make it difficult for the average person to translate that into how the changes will affect them.
He said he felt the graphs and charts were more about science and numbers than effects on health, and make it difficult for the average person to translate that into how the changes will affect them.
The MOE says it will get back to Dofasco on its application by Feb. 1, 2010.
rdelazzer@thespec.com
905-526-3404
http://www.thespec.com/article/637108
905-526-3404
http://www.thespec.com/article/637108
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