Nature - www.ussteel.com
Nature
Protecting water, air and biodiversity around all our facilities is one of our highest priorities at U. S. Steel. We are committed to supporting neighboring communities’ continued access to these precious natural resources.
Air
We are committed to continuously improving air quality throughout our operations. As air quality regulations become increasingly stringent, we strive to maintain full compliance with all applicable federal, state and local requirements, including permit conditions. In support of this commitment, we set a corporate goal in 2021 to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions intensity by 10% by 2030 relative to a 2018 baseline, equivalent to a reduction of 174 net tons per million metric tons of crude steel produced.
In 2025, our absolute NOx emissions intensity was 1,645 NOx net tons per million metric tons of crude steel produced. Steel production increased and NOx emissions decreased, which resulted in an approximate 10% decrease of our NOx intensity as compared to 2024.
Biodiversity
We are dedicated to respecting protected and conserved areas, and we will continue to manage potential adverse impacts on biodiversity. We published our 2024 Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Report, and continue to follow our updated 2025 Biodiversity Management Plan to mitigate biodiversity risks and adverse impacts at U. S. Steel’s Big River Steel Works. Our environmental team and biodiversity programs monitor company properties and designated mitigation areas to identify risks and assess the effectiveness of biodiversity protection efforts.
Caring for Our Wildlife
Ocho, Eaglet #8
On March 27, 2025, the countless worldwide fans of the eagles nesting at Mon Valley Works – Irvin Plant were treated via Eagle Cam to the sight of parent eagles Stella and Irvin’s newest arrival: a 3-ounce hatchling named “Ocho,” the winning name in Tamarack Wildlife Center’s naming contest. Ocho is the eighth eaglet to hatch on plant property in the years since the first eagles nested there.
Ocho is the latest addition to a group of raptors that have been living on U. S. Steel property, including great horned owls and red-tailed hawks. Thanks to the cameras we installed, the ongoing sagas of some of these formidable birds have kept fans enthralled for years.
Honeybee Sanctuary
Along with warmer weather, spring at our Mon Valley Works Clairton facility also brings about a dozen honeybee swarms to the facility. That’s because employees at the plant maintain a secure apiary there, which as of 2025 has been home to two active beehives relocated to the apiary.
Restoration and Conservation
Save the Dunes
On March 27, 2025, the countless worldwide fans of the eagles nesting at Mon Valley Works – Irvin Plant were treated via Eagle Cam to the sight of parent eagles Stella and Irvin’s newest arrival: a 3-ounce hatchling named “Ocho,” the winning name in Tamarack Wildlife Center’s naming contest. Ocho is the eighth eaglet to hatch on plant property in the years since the first eagles nested there.
Ocho is the latest addition to a group of raptors that have been living on U. S. Steel property, including great horned owls and red-tailed hawks. Thanks to the cameras we installed, the ongoing sagas of some of these formidable birds have kept fans enthralled for years.
Beautification in Braddock
The primary visual focal point at U. S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works is the stretch along Braddock Avenue between the plant’s main entrance and the Engineering Building. This area has historically been difficult to maintain due to uneven terrain, low‑hanging trees, and persistently wet conditions.
Significant improvements were made in 2025 by leveling the ground to match the sidewalk, edging and pressure‑washing the walkway, clearing dead and deteriorating vegetation, removing mud and debris from the curbs, repainting the guardrails, and seeding new grass. While minor touch ups will be needed due to the time of year, the overall transformation is substantial and highly visible, making a meaningful difference for the surrounding community.
Water
Across our operations, we take a comprehensive approach to water stewardship encompassing responsible use, conservation, reuse for cooling and production processes and protection of shared water resources. These efforts reduce the volume of freshwater withdrawn at our facilities, helping to minimize impacts on local ecosystems and communities. Our investments in water conservation have lowered water intensity per ton of steel produced by more than 8% from 2024 to 2025, while ongoing improvements to treatment processes have reduced metal concentrations in discharged water and decreased the volume of wastewater filter cake sent to landfills.
For more information on our water stewardship initiatives, please see our Big River Steel Water Stewardship Plan.