Algoma Steel Inc. - Order to comply with a site specific air standard

The ministry considered all comments received during the comment period. Below are the comments that were received on the proposal and ministry responses.

1. Concerns that Algoma is not meeting all their technical requirements related to the site-specific standard.

   Response: The ministry has a process in place for reporting environmental concerns and incidents of non-compliance from industrial facilities like Algoma Steel Inc. Any concerns from the public on environmental issues related to Algoma Steel Inc. can be directed to either the ministry’s Sault Ste. Marie office or Spills Action Centre (when outside of office hours). An Environmental Officer will collect and assess the information provided and decide on an appropriate response.

2. Recommendation that the Community Liaison Committee requirements for Algoma be the same as the other iron and steel facilities.

   Response: The ministry recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for industry to engage with the community on their site-specific standard. To ensure this continues, we are maintaining the requirements for the Community Liaison Committee. Going forward, the ministry will be moving these requirements from the expiring site-specific standard order to a different regulatory instrument, Environmental Compliance Approvals. The Environmental Compliance Approvals will include the committee’s minimum meeting frequency and other meeting requirements.

   The Community Liaison Committee requirements are the same for all the facilities in the sector but operate under their own Terms of Reference.

3. Recommendation that Algoma should have an appropriate air ambient monitoring network and real-time sampling to validate emission reductions.

   Response: There is currently a monitoring network in the vicinity of Algoma and the ministry is currently reviewing the request to examine air monitoring in Sault Ste. Marie, but a definitive date for the completion of the review has not yet been set. The ministry is assessing what more can be done through its work to develop a technical standard.

4. Recommendation that the funds for these projects should have been previously committed and a portion of the current government funding should be reallocated to these environmental projects.

   Response: The provincial funding provided as a repayable loan through the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines was tied to very specific capital projects with no ability to reallocate them.

5. Concerns that these facilities are causing health impacts in the community.

   Response: When facilities emit contaminants above a general air standard, it does not necessarily mean that adverse effects will occur, however the risk increases as concentrations increase. In particular, levels of benzene and benzo[a]pyrene from these facilities will continue to be the focus for reduction over time.

   While extending the existing site-specific standards will not drive additional reductions in emissions during the extension period, other work continues with the facilities to further reduce emissions of contaminants such as benzene, including what investments are possible to reduce Benzo[a]Pyrene.

   The ministry recognizes the efforts made by the integrated iron and steel companies to date to meet their site-specific standards. Some improvements have been achieved, and the ministry will continue to assess what else can be done and to seek further reductions in emissions, with the goal of continuous improvement to reduce health and environmental risk, through its work on a technical standard for the sector.

   Anyone with health-related questions related to environmental exposures should contact their local Public Health Unit or the ministry’s Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch.

6. Batchewana First Nation is concerned with environmental and health issues emanating from Algoma Steel. Batchewana First Nation will not endorse this request and will correspond with the ministry to discuss next steps.

   Response: The ministry continues to work with the public, municipalities, First Nations, environmental groups and industry to drive strategies that better protect air quality. The ministry recognizes that further efforts are needed to reduce risks to the environment and human health and will continue discussions with the First Nation community on the long-term actions to improve air quality.

   In the meantime, this extension will allow the company to continue their work to reduce emissions and ensure there is a clear compliance approach in place to address issues.