ENVIRONMENT

BIODIVERSITY

We respect the biodiversity of areas surrounding our operations.

Whether within our plants or through our raw material mining operations, U. S. Steel's footprint stretches over a large portion of the countries where we operate. Within that expanse, we operate in a variety of environments that each have different climates, flora, and fauna. It is our responsibility to respect the environments surrounding our operations and maintain their biodiversity. Because each site is unique, we tailor operating procedures and protection plans to minimize the impacts to biodiversity.

  • We consider the impacts on wildlife, including protected species (such as the northern long-eared bat and the Karner blue butterfly) when applying for construction and operating permits.
  • We develop and promote the development of wildlife habitats on and around our facilities.
  • We remediate and restore former U. S. Steel properties, allowing them to be used for new residential, commercial and industrial purposes.

SPOTLIGHT: BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS

Mon Valley

Cleaning Up a River

In Mon Valley, U. S. Steel employees in the SteelSUSTAINABILITY employee resource group used a boat donated by a local marina to remove drums, other debris and miscellaneous garbage from the Monongahela River in front of the Irvin Plant, as part of a larger cleanup event. A total of 22,000 pounds of garbage were collected by all the facilities during the event.

Employee Spotlight

Don German

U. S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works Irvin plant manager, Don German, is a familiar figure to thousands of community members throughout the Pittsburgh area and well beyond—but not for the steelmaking expertise and leadership he has established over 34 years at the company. Rather, Don is known for his knowledge about and support for eagles. In particular, he’s an expert on the two eagles that made the Irvin works their home five years ago.

In fact, Don has overseen several flora- and fauna-friendly initiatives around U. S. Steel’s Mon Valley Irvin Plant. Working with local community members and biologists, the efforts have included establishing duck habitats, cleaning up the river and aerating a fishpond, and providing boxes for bluebird and Screech Owl nesting, among many others. He has even helped attract and protect raptors other than eagles around the plants, including the Great Horned Owl, which was also once on the endangered list.

But it’s the two Bald Eagles, named Irvin and Claire, who have attracted the most attention. Through visits to schools and other venues, Don has spoken to more than 10,000 students and others in the public about the two birds. And more than 3 million more people from 22 different countries have visited the online live webcam of the eagles’ nest. “We provided an environment and ecosystem where birds can thrive, and Eagles, Great Horned Owls, and Falcons chose our locations to call home,” says Don. “It shows that industry and nature can co-exist if we work hard and do the right thing.”

ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS OF FOCUS

U. S. Steel’s current environmental areas of focus align with the results of our ESG Materiality Assessment.