Environment and Energy
EPA Proposes New Standards for EAF and AOD Steelmaking
Written by Laura Miller
May 16, 2022
The US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new and revised standards of performance for electric arc furnace (EAF) and argon-oxygen decarburization (AOD) vessels used in the steel industry.
The proposed standards would apply to all new EAF facilities constructed after May 16, 2022. The standards suggest limiting total particulate matter (PM) emissions from all pollution control devises installed on EAF and AOD vessels to 79 milligrams PM per kilogram steel (or 0.16lbs PM per ton of steel produced). Visible emissions from EAF and AOD that exit the melt shops would be limited to an opacity of 0% during all phases of operations.
The EPA has also proposed that all emission limits apply at all times, that mandatory compliance testing occurs at least once every five years, and that reporting electronically.
Amendments for certain provisions in the standards have been proposed for EAFs constructed between Oct. 21, 1974, and Aug. 17, 1983, and for EAF and AOD vessels constructed between Aug. 17, 1983, and May 16, 2022.
The EPA is seeking comments on the proposed standards, with a deadline of July 15. A virtual public hearing will also be held if one is requested before May 23.
By Laura Miller, Laura@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Laura Miller
Read more from Laura MillerLatest in Environment and Energy
SMU Spotlight: CRU’s Paul Butterworth talks EAFs, CBAM, and decarbonization
Last month I traveled to Sweden to the CRU Steel Decarbonisation Summit in Stockholm. I wanted to see if the European take on decarbonization was broadly different from what we are talking about here in the US.
SSAB OK’d for $139M from European Commission for decarb
Sweden’s SSAB has been awarded €128 million by the European Commission for the steelmaker’s efforts at decarbonization.
GSCC introduces label for new emissions target
The Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC) has taken a step forward in standardizing the decarbonization process with the publishing of its labeling for a certified science-based emissions target.
DOE set to measure GHG intensity of industrial products, including steel
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is launching a pilot project to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of certain energy-intensive industrial products, including steel.
Final thoughts
Whether it’s the twists and turns of the presidential election, the U.S. Steel deal, or just what’s happening with the movement of steel pricing, there has been no shortage of stories for us to cover.