Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

For Immediate Release

Bethlehem, Pa., February 25, 1997 -- The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and Bethlehem Steel Corporation have achieved a far-reaching agreement to comprehensively address environmental issues at Bethlehem's Sparrows Point, Md., Division.

"We view this multi-media (air, land and water) agreement as an outstanding example of cooperation between industry and government," said Dr. Augustine E. Moffitt Jr., Bethlehem's vice president, Safety, Health and Environment. "It is the most comprehensive of its type in the steel industry -- a landmark agreement for a phased program to address issues of concern to the community and the environment, at large."

Dr. Moffitt said the agreement is consistent with Bethlehem's environmental policy to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations and to continuously improve environmental performance.

Duane R. Dunham, president of Bethlehem's Sparrows Point Division, added his enthusiastic support for the environmental agreement, stressing its importance to the division's long-range planning. "Through this understanding, we will be able to identify our environmental requirements and develop and achieve completion schedules consistent with the long-term viability and profitability of our operation," said Mr. Dunham, adding:

"The agreement also resolves many historic environmental issues and allows our Division to move forward consistent with Bethlehem's vision to be the premier steel company, which includes being a responsible member of the community and meeting our commitments to the people and the environment."

The principal element of the agreement is a site-wide investigation aimed at ensuring that there are no releases from Sparrows Point's operations which adversely impact human health or the environment. The agreement also includes a civil penalty of $350,000 to be paid by Bethlehem Steel to the MDE.

In announcing the agreement, Bethlehem outlined three waste management projects which are part of the agreement, plus the installation of new controls and pollution prevention technology. The three major projects and corrective actions covered by the agreement are:

• Blast furnace slurry -- install a hydrocyclone facility to remove zinc and lead from the slurry and recycle the iron/carbon-rich solids to the sinter plant. Within 12 months, Bethlehem will submit a work plan and schedule to EPA and MDE for review and approval.
• Basic oxygen furnace fume sludge -- recycle BOF fume sludge to the sinter plant or the iron or steel making process. Within 18 months, Bethlehem will submit a work plan and a schedule to EPA and MDE for review and approval.
• Humphreys Creek wastewater treatment plant sludge -- recycle the sludge from the Humphreys Creek wastewater treatment plant to the sinter plant. Bethlehem is to submit to EPA and MDE a work plan and schedule within 24 months.

In addition, the Bethlehem agreement with the federal and state agencies provides for a comprehensive waste minimization plan/program; specific BOF compliance requirements, and specific landfill compliance requirements.

Consistent with its environmental policy and endorsement of the CERES Principles, a comprehensive environmental code of conduct, Bethlehem Steel also announced that the Sparrows Point Division has initiated a community outreach program in order to keep the public informed of significant business and environmental issues affecting the division's operations. The program is designed to create a two-way, open communications process to provide the public with an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns and allow the division to receive advice and suggestions from its neighbors.