Burns Harbor
Burns Harbor is the only steelmaking facility in the United States bounded on two sides by a national park, and the complex resembles a park far more than a steel mill. It is not unusual to see deer crossing the tree-lined avenues that connect the mills and offices. Wildflowers and wildlife coexist comfortably with the blast furnaces and basic oxygen furnace. In addition, nearby sand dunes draw boaters and swimmers to recreational opportunities on Lake Michigan. Ever since the facility was built in 1964, it has benefited from exceptional environmental stewardship.
One reason is an environmental management system (EMS) that has transcended changes in management and ownership. Yet another is substantial investment in pollution control equipment including the addition of state-of-the-art emission control technology for the blast furnaces, BOF shop and coke plant completed. Perhaps most important is a hard-earned reputation for transparency built over more than 40 years.
Click here for more information on the proposed Deerfield Storage Facility at ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor.
Examples of Environmental Excellence
Saving energy
In 2008, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor replaced the majority of its overhead lighting with energy-efficient lighting to reduce energy consumption. By using the energy-efficient lights, the facility reduced the number of lamps needed by 33 percent and they provide more light to the shop floor. The project represents how a simple first step to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs can be a win-win. By switching to more energy-efficient lighting at the facility we deliver on our corporate value of sustainability while also realizing nearly a half million dollars in cost savings down the road.
Continuous stakeholder engagement
Open and honest communication between the company and the community has been key in implementing significant environmental improvements. In 1996, the Burns Harbor facility began an open dialogue with key external stakeholders on how to achieve improved environmental performance. This group includes representatives from U.S. EPA, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), U.S. Parks Service, Department of Natural Resources, local townships, industrial associations, environmental NGOs, conservation groups, ArcelorMittal management and the local union.
Seeking solutions through research
The company continues to explore different options for handling secondary materials on Burns Harbor property. In addition to efforts performed on property within the plant to support obtaining a permit from the state of Indiana to install the DSF, a parallel effort continues with ArcelorMittal Research & Development, charged with finding a technology-based, economically feasible solution to re-use iron bearing materials generation.