Hank Barnette's remarks on DOE Technology Showcase and Climate Wise Partnership Burns Harbor - April 30, 1998
For Immediate Release
Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax
Thank you very much, Walt.
We're here today for two purposes (1) the Bethlehem-DOE Technology Showcase and (2) the Climate Wise Partnership. But in a larger sense, we're here today to recognize two important foundations of our Country (1) Steel, the Material of Choice and, (2) the public-private partnership of steel and our government, especially as it relates to energy efficiency and the environment. Please consider them during your time with us.
Bethlehem-DOE Technology Showcase
Throughout the Burns Harbor Division about a dozen new technologies are being demonstrated today, through "live" operations at a number of locations in the steelmaking processes. And the new technologies are also being discussed, in detail, with visitors at our new on-site educational facility, the Deerfield Woods Training Center. About 250 representatives from industry, government, academia and other organizations are participating in our Showcase event today. They are seeing demonstrations of new technologies that were developed in partnership with the Department of Energy, and which are excellent examples of the progress that can be made when government and private industry combine their resources and work together on a voluntary basis. These technologies improve production and energy efficiencies, and product quality. Some of them significantly reduce carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other emissions which are referred to as "greenhouse gases" and
reduce energy usage by increasing thermal efficiencies. We believe many of the technologies will be applied at other steel plants throughout the country in the near future.
One area where Bethlehem has taken the lead is in the development of efficiency improvements in the field of waste management. Burns Harbor has developed and is continuing to develop a variety of waste handling technologies as part of an integrated waste management plan for recycling plant wastes. Upon completion of this program, over 90% of the plant's iron and carbon bearing wastes will be recycled.
Coke plays a major role in the production of steel at Burns Harbor as well as at all other integrated mills around the world. The Burns Harbor Coke Division has developed an emissions control program that has an outstanding record of environmental performance, and seeks, as a goal, continuous improvement of that performance, consistent with our corporate environmental policy and objectives.
As a result of a partnership with the Department of Energy's Clean Coal Technology Program, in December 1994 the Burns Harbor Division began injecting granular coal into the blast furnaces. In addition to reducing the amount of coke needed, this coal injection technology makes possible the environmentally acceptable use of different types of coal that would otherwise not be acceptable in the steelmaking process. The Coke Emissions Control Program and the Direct Coal Injection Demonstration Project are two examples of ongoing efforts to assure that coke is produced and used more efficiently, and with reduced emissions, than coke and ironmaking facilities located in other parts of the world.
The chart to my left shows the steelmaking processes and locations within Burns Harbor of these and a number of the other new technologies being showcased today. I understand that Dan Reicher from the Department of Energy will discuss a few of these new developments in more detail.
Climate Wise Program
Today, we are also making official our participation in another important voluntary initiative, the Climate Wise Program. This program is sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is supported by the Department of Energy. Bethlehem Steel is the 400th organization -- and the first integrated steel company -- to sign on to the Clinton Administration's Climate Wise Program, making it an important event for both the government and the steel industry. The program creates a unique partnership opportunity between government and industry that can help achieve major improvements in energy efficiency and environmental performance. It provides customized assistance through energy and waste assessments, consultation with National Laboratory experts, state and local pilot program resources, and workshops, as well as a number of other opportunities available to Climate Wise members. Bethlehem looks forward to full participation in this program.
The steel industry has made considerable progress in reducing energy consumption and since 1975 has reduced carbon dioxide emissions per ton of steel produced -- by about 45%! In addition to the voluntary programs being discussed today, the industry is taking a number of other actions to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Some examples include our work with the appliance industry to meet new energy efficiency standards, and with the home-building industry to promote widespread use of steel instead of lumber in residential housing construction. This latter initiative is important in helping to save trees which contribute to the natural reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition, we have been working with the automotive sector in developing an UltraLight Steel Auto Body (ULSAB), which will result in fuel and manufacturing efficiencies. ULSAB was recently "rolled out" in Detroit and the Department of Energy's headquarters in Washington, D.C. This highly advanced auto body is 25% lighter than the average 1998 four-door sedans, yet crash simulations indicate that it will exceed current federal safety standards. Greater efficiency without sacrificing safety -- that's a formula for success!
Bethlehem Steel and others in the American steel industry have been working closely with the Administration to develop voluntary programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We believe it is critical that voluntary programs be the vehicle to meet the challenge of the global climate issue and, indeed, should become the basis for resolution of other significant environmental and energy challenges in the future. Why voluntary programs? Because today we are living in a truly global society and the domestic steel industry competes with suppliers from such developed countries as Japan and Germany, but also with developing countries such as China, Korea, India, and Brazil. These last four countries are classified as developing, but they are also four of the top ten steel producing countries in the world -- with China being number one. From a global climate standpoint, it makes absolutely no sense to shift steel production from developed countries to developing countries simply to meet mandated greenhouse gas reduction requirements that impact only developed countries. There will be two results of such a policy (1) an increase in greenhouse gases and other environmental emissions from less efficient operations that are typically found in developing countries, and (2) a significant adverse effect upon our international competitiveness. Only by working cooperatively and voluntarily will we find a better way to address this issue. State, local, and federal governments, must join together with private industry -- in the best of public - private partnerships -- to combine our resources and promote energy efficiency and the very best of environmental practices.
We are all stewards of our environment. Bethlehem Steel is committed to environmental leadership and we will continue to use our resources and join with others to promote global sustainable development.
With respect to global climate change, however, this is a global problem requiring global situations -- regional government imposed targets for part of the world are not the answer -- indeed they are globally counterproductive.
It is possible to have environmental protection -- and economic development and prosperity.
Let me close on this note. Bethlehem's Vision is to be the Premier Steel Company and we have four Key Objectives -- maximize value for our stockholders, serve our customers, partner with our employees and be good citizens. In this citizenship responsibility, Bethlehem Steel has had a formal environmental protection program in place since 1946. We were among the first companies in basic industries to recognize the importance of protecting our environment, and our leadership and commitment continues today. We are proud that Bethlehem is the first integrated steelmaker today to join Climate Wise, and the only steelmaker to endorse the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) Principles. These principles are a comprehensive 10 point environmental code of conduct for corporations.
Bethlehem will continue to make significant energy and emissions reduction progress. Some of this progress will be accomplished through voluntary programs such as Climate Wise, as well as through other public and private initiatives. Such initiatives will help redefine our relationship with the regulatory community and, in so doing, will more effectively address the important challenges we all face as part of this new global community. We very much appreciate the active involvement of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency in promoting voluntary programs.