Steel Mills

Big River Steel Wins Air Permit Suit

March 23, 2014

Big River Steel is cleared to begin construction. Mississippi County Judge Charles Moulton ruled in favor of the John Correnti led Big River Steel in an air quality permit lawsuit filed by rival steel-maker Nucor Corp.

An air permit was provisionally granted on Sept 18, 2013 but subsequently challenged by Nucor on the basis that the application process was flawed and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (AEDQ) did not have adequate time to properly review air quality concerns. In January 2014, a construction stay was lifted by the ADEQ.

The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission will review Moulton’s ruling at a meeting on March 28. Pending approval by the commission, the ruling this week clears the way for Big River Steel CEO John Correnti to move forward with building of the $1.1 steel mill in Osceola, Ark.

“If the commission rules (in support of Moulton’s decision), we feel we’re on solid ground,” Correnti said in quote in The Republic. “Not only would I feel we’re on solid ground, but also our lenders and all our equity partners would. Nucor can do what Nucor wants to do. They can keep up this legal gymnastics, if you will, until the cows come home.”

Construction won’t start until at least June, said Correnti, and will take approximately 22 months to complete.

The Big River Steel mini-mill will have an electric arc furnace and capable of producing 1.7 million tons of steel per year. The specialty steels produced will be targeted for users in the automotive, oil and gas fracturing, and electrical industries. The plant is expected to employ 525 workers at an average salary of $75,000 per year.