AISI Says New Iron Ore Emission Limits Could Cost American Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a flawed rule imposing emission limits on the processing of taconite (iron ore) needed for advanced steelmaking, mandating installation of unproven control technologies to achieve these limits.

Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), stated, “The American steel industry is the cleanest in the world. Environmentally friendly, domestically produced iron ore pellets lead to much lower emissions than sinter feed iron ore commonly used in China, Japan, India and many other countries. This rule completely fails to balance costs and benefit, and ignores feedback provided by the steel industry, steelworkers and members of Congress. The rule will be a direct detriment to the steel sector and to steelworkers employed both at iron ore mines and steel mills that consume pellets.”

AISI submitted comments on the proposed rule last summer and engaged with EPA to provide substantive feedback during the comment period.

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Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / lharrison@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers reflecting the production of both carbon and stainless steels which are critical to the everyday lives of all Americans — including national security, roads and bridges, the electrical grid, clean energy technologies and the automotive market. AISI also represents nearly 80 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.