Managing Environmental Performance

• Environmental Audits
• Environmental Management Systems
• Reducing Toxic Emissions
• 33/50 Chemicals
• Solvent Reduction Program
• Superfund Sites
• Managing PCBs
• Underground Storage Tanks
• Energy Conservation
• Charts

Environmental Audits

Environmental performance is also monitored through our comprehensive environmental auditing process. Using teams consisting of business division, corporate and contract personnel, we conducted comprehensive environmental audits at seven Burns Harbor Division departments in 1996 and identified areas for improvement at both the division and department levels. We conducted other audits at our Lackawanna Coke Division and at BethShip-Sparrows Point. In addition, we conducted audits at Walbridge Coatings, in which the company holds an investment interest, and at some of the off-site hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities which Bethlehem uses or might use.

Environmental Management Systems

Our environmental policy and programs are implemented at each business division, which is ultimately responsible for compliance. Each business division maintains an environmental plan to guide its compliance efforts. EPA, the states and our corporate audits serve as external checks on the process and ensure acceptable results. The needs of external stakeholders, such as the community, also influence the plans.

Bethlehem's model for an environmental management system (EMS) process is one of continual improvement. It is designed to satisfy our obligations to all of our stakeholders and our commitment to the CERES Principles and the International Chamber of Commerce Business Charter for Sustainable Development.

In 1996 we published an environmental management system manual intended to serve as a policy guide for the development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems at each business division. The manual is consistent with EMS requirements for certification set forth in ISO 14001. We are presently benchmarking other industries with respect to ISO 14001 and have initiated an ISO 14001 pilot project at our Burns Harbor Division.

Reducing Toxic Emissions  Charts 

Section 313 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) requires annual reporting for specifically listed toxic chemicals manufactured, processed or otherwise used at a facility above certain threshold levels.

In 1995, Bethlehem Steel reported total toxic chemical releases to the environment of 4.4 million pounds, a reduction of 23 percent from the 5.7 million pounds reported in 1994 and 79 percent from the 21.4 million pounds initially reported in 1987. Total releases include on-site releases as well as off-site transfers that are treated or disposed of in landfills.

There are several reasons for this dramatic reduction of releases over the past few years, including the following waste reduction strategies:

• Modifying existing operations and installing new technologies
• Recycling tar sludge and baghouse dusts
• Substituting water-based paints, citrus degreasers, nonleaded lubricants and other products for existing consumables
• Eliminating underground storage tanks
• Segregating wastes
• Discontinuing purchases of environmentally unsafe solvents
• Training and educating employees on the prevention of releases

33/50 Chemicals  Charts 

Bethlehem Steel has been a participant in EPA’s voluntary emission-reduction program known as 33/50 since its inception in 1991. This program called for reducing 17 types of chemical emissions (from a 1988 baseline) 33 percent through 1992 and 50 percent through 1995. Bethlehem made a commitment to meet and exceed the EPA challenge.

Between 1988 and 1992, we reduced the ten 33/50 toxic chemicals generated at our operations by 70 percent, from 5.4 million pounds to 1.6 million pounds. This reduction not only surpassed EPA's 1995 50-percent target, but did so by 1992, three years ahead of schedule. By 1995, the last year of the program, we achieved an 88-percent reduction of the targeted chemicals. As a result of this performance, Bethlehem Steel was recognized by EPA in 1996 as one of 20 “Environmental Champions” for achieving and exceeding their 33/50 Program goals. Even though the program has officially ended, we will continue to track these chemicals and remain committed to further emission reductions of all chemicals in future years.

Solvent Reduction Program  Charts 

Bethlehem implemented a solvent reduction program several years ago. We have replaced most of the ozone-depleting degreasing solvent 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) with more environmentally friendly solvents. In 1988, we used 1.1 million pounds of TCA, which by 1995 was reduced more than 97 percent to 28,000 pounds. All plants recycle degreasing solvents and have programs for substituting organic solvents with other types of materials that present fewer risks to the environment if released.

Superfund Sites  Charts 

EPA has the authority to impose liability for site remediation on waste generators, past and present site owners and operators regardless of fault or legality of the original disposal activity under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). In 1996, Bethlehem was actively involved at 25 sites where EPA or a state regulatory agency had advised the company that it may be considered a “potentially responsible party” for site remediation. Bethlehem's share of costs for remediation is not expected to be material because we are minor contributors in terms of waste volume at most of those sites. Our policy is to manage our waste streams on-site whenever possible, and we have effectively done that over the past few years.

Managing PCBs  Charts 

All business units have taken steps to manage the potential environmental risk from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by starting transformer/capacitor replacement programs. Business units have replaced or retrofitted PCB capacitors and transformers, and some have installed containment devices to control potential spills.

Underground Storage Tanks  Charts 

Another measure of environmental performance is our progress in reducing the number of underground storage tanks at our facilities. In 1996, we removed one of the remaining 10 tanks. From 1985 through 1996, we removed, closed in place or sold almost 98 percent of our underground storage tanks containing petroleum products. We believe that management of tanks in this manner has significantly reduced our liabilities relative to accidental releases and spills of petroleum to the environment.

Energy Conservation  Charts 

Bethlehem's total energy consumption in terms of BTUs per ton of steel produced at our steelmaking operations has remained relatively unchanged during the past five years. Consumption of energy at existing facilities decreased through conservation efforts but the installation of new finishing facilities, such as coating lines, and pollution control equipment, added new energy requirements without changing the baseline tonnage.

Our energy policy put in to practice includes:

• Promoting energy awareness through communication with employees
• Training and educating key process operators
• Developing effective energy reduction programs
• Promoting operating practices that minimize energy use
• Using by-product fuel and capturing process heat
• Applying economic and environmental “best-available” energy-use technology
• Setting energy usage targets per operating cycle
• Employing qualified personnel to develop, implement and monitor the company's energy use
• Evaluating and assessing performance and adjusting when necessary

1996 Environmental Report Table of Contents