Alabama Pollution: Mobile Class Action Against Ns

AM/NS Calvert, a steel processing plant located in Mobile County, Alabama, was sentenced to three years of probation and a $750,000 fine for violating the Clean Air Act. The plant, which is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, failed to report that it had not taken proper measures to reduce chlorine emissions from its acid regeneration facility, which is a hazardous air pollutant. This incident has raised concerns about air pollution and its potential health impacts on the surrounding community, leading to legal actions and efforts to improve environmental sustainability in the area.

AM/NS Calvert LLC fined $750,000 for Clean Air Act violation

AM/NS Calvert LLC, a steel production facility, has been fined $750,000 and placed on three years' probation for violating the Clean Air Act. The company pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Clean Air Act, specifically for failing to report emissions violations to regulators and for not using the required caustic solution to scrub air emissions and meet clean air standards.

AM/NS Calvert is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Corporation, two of the largest steel manufacturers in the world. The plant, which employs around 1,700 people and sits on 2,400 acres in Calvert, Alabama, was purchased from Thyssenkrupp in 2014 for $1.55 billion, with an additional $5 billion in construction costs.

In February 2015, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) issued a Clean Air Act Permit for the acid regeneration plant, initially designed to run on water. However, in April 2015, the permit was amended to require the use of a caustic solution to meet air emission standards. Despite this, in 2017, inspectors from ADEM and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the plant had not been using the required caustic solution and was instead running on water, which it had been doing for several months.

As a result of the violation, AM/NS Calvert will not only pay the fine and be placed on probation but will also enter into an Administrative Agreement with the government, which may include further monitoring, adjustments to management systems, and additional reporting to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act.

AM/NS Calvert acid regeneration plant

AM/NS Calvert, a steel processing plant located in Calvert, Alabama, is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Corporation. The plant, which began serving the North American market in 2010, has a production capacity of 5.3 million tons of flat-rolled carbon steel products annually. It is recognised as one of the most advanced steel finishing facilities globally.

In October 2024, AM/NS Calvert was sentenced to three years of probation and a $750,000 fine for violating the Clean Air Act. The charges stemmed from the company's failure to notify authorities about an exceedance in emissions from its acid regeneration plant in 2017. Federal prosecutors revealed that the plant had not utilised a caustic solution to scrub air emissions from the acid reclamation facility, despite it being mandated under their Clean Air Act permit. This deviation persisted for approximately 700 days during a two-year period.

AM/NS Calvert acknowledged the violation, with a spokesperson stating that the issue was related to actions taken by a third-party contractor. The company emphasised its commitment to environmental sustainability and full compliance with all environmental permits. As a result of the sentence, AM/NS Calvert will be subject to additional monitoring, adjustments to management systems, and enhanced reporting to ensure future adherence to environmental regulations.

The AM/NS Calvert plant employs around 1,700 people and spans 2,400 acres. It includes various facilities, such as a river terminal, hot strip mill, cold rolling mill, hot-dip galvanizing lines, and supporting infrastructure. The plant was purchased from Thyssenkrupp in 2014 for $1.55 billion and cost approximately $5 billion to construct.

AM/NS Calvert joint venture

AM/NS Calvert is a 50/50 joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Corp. (NSC). The steel processing plant is located in Calvert, Alabama, about 35 miles north of Mobile. The plant has served the North American market since 2010 and has the capacity to produce 5.3 million tons of flat-rolled carbon steel products annually.

The facility includes a river terminal, hot strip mill, cold rolling mill, three hot dip galvanizing lines, a rail yard, and supporting infrastructure. AM/NS Calvert is recognised as one of the most advanced steel finishing facilities in the world. It serves the automotive, construction, pipe and tube, service centre, and appliance/HVAC industries with a range of steel grades for high-value applications.

AM/NS Calvert provides its team members with opportunities to use the latest technology, develop innovative solutions, and drive digitisation. The company is committed to safety, integrity, and continuous improvement, and is currently looking to expand its team.

In October 2024, AM/NS Calvert LLC pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act and was sentenced to a $750,000 fine and a three-year probation term. The company had held a Clean Air Act permit that required the treatment of certain air emissions for chlorine. While AM/NS initially switched to a caustic solution with approval, it later switched back to using water when the solution was found to be incompatible with the piping material.

Alabama Air Pollution Control Act

AM/NS Calvert LLC, a steel production facility in Calvert, Alabama, was sentenced to three years of probation and a $750,000 fine for violating the Clean Air Act. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) issued a Clean Air Act permit for the company's acid regeneration plant, which was amended in 2015 to require the use of a caustic solution to meet air emission standards. However, during a joint inspection by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ADEM in 2017, it was discovered that the plant was not using the mandated caustic solution, resulting in the violation.

This incident brings attention to Alabama's efforts to control air pollution and enforce the Clean Air Act within the state. The Alabama Air Pollution Control Act plays a crucial role in this regard. The Act outlines the state's regulations and measures to mitigate air pollution and ensure compliance with the federal Clean Air Act.

The Alabama Air Pollution Control Act empowers the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to enforce air quality standards and regulations. ADEM is responsible for issuing permits, conducting inspections, and ensuring that industries within the state adhere to the established air pollution control measures. The department works in collaboration with other agencies, such as the Jefferson County Department of Health and the City of Huntsville Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, to effectively manage air quality in Alabama.

The Act also establishes procedures for public hearings and community involvement in air pollution control decision-making. Before making final determinations, ADEM considers written comments, reviews public hearing records, and evaluates the requirements of the Alabama Air Pollution Control Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, and other applicable regulations. This process ensures transparency and allows for community input in addressing air pollution concerns.

Additionally, the Alabama Air Pollution Control Act sets standards for air quality and emissions. These standards are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting the concentration of pollutants in the air. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), established by the Environmental Protection Agency, play a crucial role in determining the levels of pollutants that are considered safe for human health and welfare. By adhering to these standards, Alabama strives to maintain air quality that does not adversely affect public well-being.

Overall, the Alabama Air Pollution Control Act provides a framework for regulating air pollution, enforcing compliance, and involving the community in decision-making processes. Through the implementation of this Act, Alabama aims to protect its citizens' health and safety and contribute to the improvement of air quality within the state.

AM/NS Calvert and union representation

AM/NS Calvert is a large steel-processing facility located in Mobile County, Alabama, near Calvert, an unincorporated community located in both Mobile and Washington counties. The plant has served the North American market since 2010, with the capacity to produce 5.3 million tons of flat-rolled carbon steel products annually. It is a joint venture between the Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal and the Japanese company Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation.

Despite the presence of unions in the steel industry, AM/NS Calvert's workforce has no official union representation. Alabama's low level of union activity and legal status as a "right-to-work" state are often cited as factors in large industrial firms' decisions to locate there. The lack of union representation at AM/NS Calvert means that its workers are not covered by the national United Steel Workers' collective bargaining agreement with ArcelorMittal.

There have been attempts to unionize the workforce at AM/NS Calvert. In one instance, the United Steelworkers union began an organizing campaign among the employees of the facility, demanding a list of all employees eligible for union membership and access to non-work locations within the facility. This led to a legal dispute, with AM/NS Calvert, LLC filing a declaratory judgment complaint in January 2022, alleging that they were not a party to a particular collective bargaining agreement but that the union was demanding they adhere to certain provisions.

The court proceedings, AM/NS Calvert, LLC v. United Steel, Paper, Forestry, Rubber, Mfg., Energy, Allied Indus. & Serv. Workers Int'l Union, considered whether the case was governed by Textron, a precedent where neither side alleged a violation of a collective bargaining agreement. The court concluded that the declaratory judgment defendant, the union, was claiming that AM/NS Calvert had violated the Neutrality Agreement, satisfying the Textron precedent.

Reviews from employees at AM/NS Calvert offer mixed opinions on the topic of union representation. Some employees mention the benefits of the non-union environment, such as faster job completion and good compensation. However, others express a desire for unionization, stating that things went downhill after attempts to unionize.

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