Steel Mills
USS Unveils Battery-Operated Locomotives in Green Push
Written by Ethan Bernard
October 31, 2023
U.S. Steel said it has converted two of its diesel switcher locomotives to “state-of-the-art battery-operated locomotives.”
As part of its “commitment to sustainability,” the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker made the move at its Mon Valley Works’ Edgar Thomson and Clairton Plants in Pennsylvania.
“Mon Valley Works is the first industrial site to deploy this technology to reduce small particulate matter emissions from its locomotive fleet,” Scott Buckiso, SVP and chief manufacturing officer, said in a statement on Monday.
The locomotives, which transport steel, coke, scrap metal, iron ore, and other materials necessary for production within the facilities, “are expected to reduce airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions by .385 tons – the equivalent emissions of 7,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.”
U.S. Steel said it invested more than $2.3 million in the locomotives. The remaining cost was offset through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The company noted the locomotives were built by Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT), “a provider of customized lithium-ion propulsion solutions to the locomotive rail market.”
Ethan Bernard
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Steel Mills
August US mill shipments slip but still higher than last year
The American Iron and Steel Institute reported a decline in the monthly shipments of US mills from July to August.
TransPod, Algoma, Supreme Steel linkup anchors Canadian steel in high-speed transit build
The three Canadian companies have announced a strategic partnership to support the development of an ultra-high-speed transit line from Edmonton to Calgary.
Metallus, USW agree to tentative four-year labor deal
Metallus and the United Steelworkers (USW) have agreed to a tentative four-year labor contract.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco resumes cokemaking after emergency maintenance
The Canadian steelmaker reported on Sept. 30 that “urgent maintenance” was needed in its coke plant off-gas systems. The work required coke oven gas from the No. 2 coke plant to be flared for most of that week.
AISI: Raw steel production ticks back down
US raw steel output declined last week after increasing the week prior, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Output has see-sawed from week to week since mid-August. Still, it has remained historically strong over the past four months and has held near multi-year highs since June. Domestic mills […]