Making steel accounts for around 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But the industry could reduce that number by removing coal from the steel-making process entirely. Three of the U.S.’s last seven coal-based steel mills are situated along Lake Michigan. Together, these facilities produce nearly half of the steel made in the U.S., supplying skyscraper beams, car doors, and appliances across the country. And right now, in Northwest Indiana, a once-in-a-generation decision is on the table.
Nippon Steel, the owners of the Gary Works steel mill, can either extend the life of their aging blast furnaces for another 20 years and continuing coal-based production, or invest in cleaner, next-generation steelmaking. Other steelmakers have already moved towards decarbonization. Will Nippon switch to cleaner steelmaking for the next generation, or double-down on coal?
Guests:
Terry Steagall, Retired Steelworker, United Steelworker Union activist
Hilary Lewis, Steel Director, Industrious Labs
Roger Smith, Asia Lead, SteelWatch
Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction
1:55 Terry Steagall on the importance of the steel industry in northwest Indiana
4:31 Terry Steagall on relining blast furnaces
11:16 Terry Steagall on cleaner steel for the next generation
14:27 Hilary Lewis on steel industry emissions
19:36 Hilary Lewis on the realistic path to decarbonizing the steel industry
23:03 Hilary Lewis on the pressure facing the industry to make cleaner steel
27:57 Hilary Lewis on the industry’s move to southern states
34:01 Roger Smith on the scale of US Steel’s acquisition by Nippon Steel
36:58 Roger Smith on the “golden share” the Trump administration received
46:33 Roger Smith on the viable technology for cleaner steel
For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our episode page at climateone.org
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