U.S. Steel sues over Michigan rule to curb air pollution
ECORSE, Mich. (AP) – U.S. Steel is suing the state of Michigan over an effort to curb Detroit-area air pollution.
The Detroit News reports Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel sued last month, saying the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality illegally enacted a rule in June that calls for the company to submit a plan for meeting sulfur dioxide compliance standards.
The DEQ plans to defend the rule in the Michigan Court of Claims.
A 2010 federal review found sulfur dioxide levels to be above federal standards and spurred state action to scale back area emissions. The DEQ says four other companies in addition to U.S. Steel voluntarily agreed to cut emissions, but U.S. Steel didn’t comply.
U.S. Steel has said that the DEQ rejected company offers to reduce emissions and the rule would increase pollution.