W. Pa. coke plant agrees to pay $1.75M pollution fine

NEVILLE ISLAND, Pa. (AP) — A Pittsburgh area coke plant has agreed to pay a $1.75 million fine to settle pollution violations.

Shenango Inc. announced in a statement today that it has reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state and local agencies to resolve complaints that date back to 2006.

The plant includes 56 ovens and processes 1,500 tons of coal per day. Coke is a fuel used to make steel. DTE Energy Services of Ann Arbor, Mich., purchased the plant in 2008.

DTE vice president Gary Gross says the company is committed to improving the plant and making it a good neighbor and a valuable asset to the community.

The county says the operation was cited 114 times last year for excessive emissions.