GARY | U.S. Steel Gary Works was hailed as an environmentally responsible local economic engine and pilloried as a profit-hungry polluter at Tuesday night's hearing to address the state's proposed wastewater treatment permit for the plant.
More than 300 people - environmentalists, elected officials, industry executives, a bus load of U.S. Steel workers - gathered in an Indiana University Northwest auditorium to speak on the permit.
Jeaneatte Neagu, of the local League of Women Voters, marveled at widespread concern over an environmental topic.
"I have not seen such a response from the public to these issues since the Cuyahoga River caught fire," Neagu said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called the hearing Tuesday afternoon to take comments on the agency's objections to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's permit. The permit - a weighty, complex collection of rules - governs amounts of pollution the mill can spill into the environmentally imperiled Grand Calumet River.
The EPA raised five objections to the permit, and the EPA can block the permit's approval.
The EPA questions whether the proposed permit could allow Gary Works to release more cyanide and heavy metals, including chromium, copper nickel and silver. The levels would violate Indiana's antidegradation rules, which are intended to prevent the worsening of water quality, the agency contends. The EPA also wants to know why the plant would have five years to comply with parts of the permit.
After a few elected officials and their representatives - including officials from the state of Illinois and city of Chicago - opened the 3 p.m. hearing, a parade of environmentalists and public interest group members spoke. An environmental coalition has asked the EPA to expand its objections.
Profitable steelmaking doesn't have to destroy waterways, said Ann Alexander, an attorney for the National Resources Defense Council.
"We are aware that U.S. Steel is a significant employer," she said. "Good corporate management goes hand-in-glove with environmental protection."
Lyman Welch, of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, called the lakes a "one-time gift from the glaciers." He argued against the five-year compliance period. He also argued for stricter control of certain pollutants.
"This flawed permit would reverse years of restoration efforts," Welch said.
Environmental advocates were followed by other speakers, mostly supporters of the state permit. Business leaders and U.S. Steel suppliers praised the company as environmentally responsible and vital to Northwest Indiana.
Louis Kocsis represented a company that works with U.S. Steel.
"Without these opportunities, businesses like ours would not exist," he said.
Plant Manager Michael Williams drew loud, long applause from a crowd heavy on U.S. Steel workers.
"Gary Works' environmental performance is exceptional," Williams said.
The EPA will review public comments, said Mary Gade, EPA Region 5 administrator.
