Algoma Steel Inc. - Environmental Compliance Approval (air)

Comments received were reviewed and, where appropriate, were considered in the ministry's decision whether or not to proceed with the proposal.

149 comments were received on the ERO Proposal posting and a further 197 emails were submitted.

The following is an overview of the common themes in the comments received and the ministry’s responses:

1. The majority of comments received by the Ministry were related to air quality impacts from current operations.

Response: The Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) issued is for the operation of equipment to support the transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking, which is expected to significantly reduce air quality impacts in the area surrounding Algoma. When the transition is completed by 2029 Algoma is predicting compliance with all Ministry air standards and will not require alternate compliance approaches (i.e., site specific standards or registering under a technical standard).

Algoma currently operates three community ambient monitoring stations in the area surrounding the facility. The ECA includes a term and condition that requires Algoma to develop a community monitoring plan with the District Office, which will ensure the current monitoring program continues to record any air quality impacts from Algoma operations. The results of ambient monitoring are presented at Community Liaison Committee meetings.

Under a separate instrument the Ministry has also required Algoma to source test existing coke oven battery underfire stacks, which can discharge visible particulate based emissions. This testing will help to better understand the potential for impacts from these sources.

2. Comments expressed concern about the potential for increased impacts during the transition period to electric arc furnace steelmaking and during full scale electric arc furnace steelmaking operations.

Response: During the transition period Algoma is predicting a small increase (less than 1%) in sulphur dioxide concentrations when compared to current operations. All other contaminants emitted will either be in compliance with Ministry limits or are not predicted to increase from current operations to the transition period.

When the transition is completed by 2029 Algoma is predicting compliance with all Ministry air standards and will not require alternate compliance approaches (i.e., site specific standards or registering under a technical standard). This includes the potential operation of a single blast furnace during future operations.

To monitor compliance during the transition period and future operations the Ministry has included ECA terms and conditions that require Algoma to carry out the following measures:

• Install bag leak detection systems on baghouses controlling emissions from electric arc furnaces to ensure effective emissions control.
• Source test emissions from the new electric arc furnaces.
• Develop and follow a Best Management Practices Plan for dust to ensure effective control of fugitive dust.
• Measure the silt content on site paved roads to assess the effectiveness of the Best Management Practices Plan.
• Notify the District Manager of any complaints received from the public.

3. Some comments expressed concern about the processing of scrap metal prior to melting within electric arc furnaces.

Response: Algoma has indicated the following scrap metal processing activities will take place prior to melting:

• Scrap metal material handling,
• De-icing (to remove any snow or ice during winter months),
• Cutting (to reduce the size of larger scrap), and
• Cleaning (direct firing to burn off any metal surface materials).

Emissions from the above activities were considered within the ESDM Report and as stated above Algoma is predicting compliance with all Ministry air standards.

4. Many comments were against the issuance of site specific standards for benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, suspended particulate matter and sulphur dioxide.

Response: as stated within the ERO posting a site specific standards application is currently under review by the Ministry and a separate environmental proposal will be posted for public comment.

5. Many comments expressed concern about noise impacts from current operations and the potential for increased noise from the new electric arc furnaces.

Response: Algoma will be enclosing the electric arc furnaces to reduce noise impacts and is predicting an insignificant increase to site wide noise levels with the addition of this new equipment. Current operations are exceeding Ministry noise limits, and Algoma has proposed a three stage noise abatement action plan (NAAP) to reduce current significant noise sources over a ten year period.

To assess compliance with noise limits the Ministry has included the following ECA terms and conditions:

• Requirement that an independent acoustical consultant peer review the effectiveness of proposed electric arc furnace noise mitigation measures.
• Completion of an acoustic audit when the electric arc furnaces are fully operational and after implementation of the proposed three stage NAAP to assess compliance with model predicted noise levels.

6. Some comments expressed concern about nighttime noise impacts from train whistles.

Response: Train whistles are used to ensure the safety of Algoma employees crossing site rail tracks. As part of the EAF transition Algoma is planning to install two automatic (rail) level crossings on site and evaluating their effectiveness in reducing the need for nighttime train whistles. It is also expected the EAF transition will result in a reduction of on site traffic and the frequency of rail crossings.

7. Some comments expressed concern about noise impacts from heavy equipment back-up beepers.

Response: Heavy equipment back-up beepers are used to ensure the safety of Algoma employees. Algoma currently uses quieter back-up alarms at some site locations, and has committed to testing the effectiveness of these quieter alarms on a wider range of equipment in different areas throughout the steelworks to mitigate the annoyance of the backup beepers.