steel
Steel and aluminum industries bring environmental and health concerns despite growing demand
Aluminum and steel production will increase to support global energy transitions, but their mining and refining processes are already causing severe environmental and health impacts in many countries.
In short:
- Demand for aluminum, essential in clean energy infrastructure, is projected to grow by 40-50% by 2050.
- Mining and refining of bauxite and iron ore lead to deforestation, toxic pollution, and human health problems, particularly in developing countries.
- Solutions like circular economies are promising but face implementation challenges.
Key quote:
“We found … a common thread. In every place bauxite mining is touching right now there seems to be really negative impacts for people and the environment.”
— Matthew Groch, senior director of decarbonization at Mighty Earth.
Why this matters:
While aluminum and steel are crucial to renewable energy and infrastructure, their production harms ecosystems and communities. If extraction and refining practices aren't improved, the environmental and social costs will rise sharply.
Biden's funding helps modernize steel plant tied to JD Vance's family
The Biden administration's $500 million grant to upgrade a steel plant in JD Vance's hometown aims to reduce pollution but faces skepticism among locals.
In short:
- The grant will help the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Middletown, Ohio, transition from coal to cleaner hydrogen and natural gas.
- Despite the investment, many residents are unaware of the grant or attribute it to figures like JD Vance or Trump.
- The plant's future is uncertain if Trump and Vance, who oppose Biden's climate policies, win in 2024.
Key quote:
“I haven’t heard anything about Trump continuing this project. I was thinking he’d probably cancel this project.”
— Gary Combs, a former Armco worker
Why this matters:
Transforming one of the dirtiest steel plants into one of the cleanest could serve as a model for the nation's industrial future, but political divisions may undermine these efforts.
Related EHN coverage:
Heat is threatening the integrity of America’s infrastructure
As rising temperatures warp steel and strain power grids, the nation’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the demands of climate change.
In short:
- Heat expansion is causing rail lines, bridges and roads to warp and buckle, complicating transportation.
- Power grids are increasingly stressed, reducing electricity delivery while demand spikes during heat waves.
- Updating infrastructure to handle extreme heat is costly, and solutions may require significant public and political support.
Key quote:
"You can’t reengineer all of U.S. infrastructure as quickly as the climate is changing."
— Mikhail Chester, director of the Metis Center for Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University
Why this matters:
The rapid pace of climate change is outstripping the ability of existing infrastructure to adapt, posing risks to public safety and economic stability. Investing in resilient systems is crucial to mitigate these impacts and protect critical services.
Related:
A guide to greening heavy industries steps into the spotlight
A new book offers insights into transitioning heavy industry toward near-zero emissions, amid a push for cleaner manufacturing processes supported by the Biden administration.
In short:
- Jeffrey Rissman's book, Zero-Carbon Industry, highlights actionable strategies for industries like steel, concrete, and chemicals to drastically reduce their climate impact.
- The Biden administration backs these initiatives with significant funding, aiming to modernize production methods across 33 companies for a greener future.
- Rissman emphasizes the importance of informed policies and technology adoption in achieving substantial emission reductions in the industrial sector.
“Policymakers didn’t fully understand, ‘What is the industry sector?’ ‘What are the processes they use to create products?’”
— Jeffrey Rissman, Energy Innovation
Why this matters:
These initiatives represent a comprehensive overhaul of heavy industry, involving cutting-edge technologies, renewable energy sources, and innovative manufacturing processes. The goal is ambitious but clear: drastically reduce the carbon footprint of industries like steel, cement, and chemicals, which are crucial for modern life but significantly harmful to our planet.
Related: Cleaner steelmaking can’t come fast enough for this Northern Ontario city
Steel mills face a lighter pollution cutback after intervention by Rust Belt senators
A group of Democratic senators from the Rust Belt challenged planned Environmental Protection Agency steel mill rules, citing concerns over American manufacturing's future.
In short:
- A coalition of Democratic senators, including Joe Manchin and John Fetterman, voiced apprehensions that the EPA's proposed regulations on steel mills could stifle American investment and lead to job losses.
- The EPA's final ruling on steel mill emissions scales back initial proposals, aiming to reduce particle pollution by less, and omits a limit on smoke thickness from mills.
- Despite the reduced scope, the regulations are hailed as a step towards mitigating pollution, albeit criticized for bending under industry pressure.
Key quote:
“It’s a small step in the right direction. The steel companies mounted a real disinformation campaign about the cost of the rule that I think put pressure on EPA to take out some provisions that would have been beneficial.”
— Jim Pew, senior attorney at Earthjustice.
Why this matters:
Efforts to regulate steel mill pollution have met both support and resistance. Environmental advocates and communities affected by pollution push for stricter regulations, emphasizing the importance of clean air and water for public health and the environment. These groups often advocate for the adoption of cleaner technologies and more sustainable practices within the industry.
Rewriting the steel industry's future with hydrogen
Hydrogen is being tested as a revolutionary, clean energy source for steel production, marking a significant shift toward decarbonization in the industry.
In short:
- Cleveland-Cliffs, North America's largest flat-rolled steel company, is experimenting with hydrogen in steel production, aiming to reduce carbon emissions.
- European companies like SSAB and H2 Green Steel are leading in producing zero-emission steel, while U.S. firms lag behind.
- The steel industry, responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, must decarbonize to meet climate goals, with hydrogen playing a key role.
Key quote:
“Hydrogen is the real game-changing event in ironmaking and steelmaking .... We are doing this to get paid, not to brag about it.”
— Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs.
Why this matters:
Transitioning to hydrogen in steel production may reduce industrial carbon emissions, a vital step in combating climate change.
Is hydrogen the solution? Many of the voices holding up carbon capture and hydrogen as new climate solutions are the same voices that fought for the natural gas bridge a decade ago.
Clairton's ongoing battle for cleaner air in the shadow of a steel giant
In Clairton, Pennsylvania, a fierce debate rages over the environmental impact of the nation's largest coke plant, highlighting a clash between public health concerns and industrial interests.
In short:
- Clairton, home to the largest coke plant in the U.S., faces a contentious struggle over its air quality permit, balancing economic and health interests.
- Residents and environmental groups express concerns about pollution and health risks, while U.S. Steel emphasizes its compliance and economic role.
- The debate reflects broader issues of environmental justice and the challenge of transitioning from traditional industries in small American towns.
Key quote:
“We had a visitor come who is working on cleaning up coke plants around the world. She’s been to plants in China and Pakistan and Indonesia, and she said she’s never seen anything like the Clairton Coke Works: the pollution levels, the rundown nature of the facility and the scale of it."
— Matthew Mehalik, executive director of the Breathe Project
Why this matters:
This story sheds light on the critical balance between industrial progress and public health, especially in smaller communities, underscoring the ongoing national conversation about environmental justice and the need for sustainable industrial practices that protect the health of local populations.
Mon Valley has the worst air quality in Pennsylvania based on its history of federal Clean Air Act violations over the last 12 years.
