It was announced Wednesday that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has informed SunCoke Energy that it can begin construction of a new coke oven facility in Middletown, Ohio intended to supply the coke needs of AK Steel Corp.
The Ohio EPA approved the permit to build the plant in November, and now with federal approval, construction can begin. However, the project still faces some setbacks. There are still three appeals pending on the permit through the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC), although no stay has been issued to halt construction as of yet. Concerned about pollution, the City of Middletown has vowed to file a lawsuit under the Clean Air Act if SunCoke begins construction.
It expected to take SunCoke between 12 to 18 months to complete the facility. So far, only minor site preparation work has been completed. If the plant is not built, AK Steel is expected to run out of coke by the end of this year.
SunCoke, based out of Tennessee, signed an agreement in early 2008 with AK Steel to build the facility using a cleaner and more efficient heat recovery method to produce coke. In return, AK Steel agreed to purchase all of the coke and electricity the plant produces for the next 20 years.