Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today renewed his call on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider amending the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Coke Ovens, as the proposed rule would critically harm steel production, reduce domestic demand for metallurgical coal, and undermine thousands of good-paying jobs in this country.

“Domestic production of blast furnace steel is critical to both our national economy and our national security,” said Griffith. “The proposed rule by the EPA, which would amend the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Coke Ovens, creates additional and unnecessary burdens on our coke producers, which will in turn negatively affect both steel and coal production and employment in our country. I urge the EPA to reconsider this rule and instead lead with a balanced approach when considering new coke emission rules, one that takes our economic, employment, and environmental interests into account.”

In September, Griffith submitted a comment to the EPA docket expressing his concern about the proposed rule and urged reconsideration.

On November 9th, Griffith and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) led a letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan once again expressing concern over the proposed rule, pointing out that numerous aspects of the new standard are a practical impossibility that would lead to reduced production. The Congressmen continue to monitor the issue.

###