Public Hearing: NOx Pollution in Lake and Porter Counties

On June 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET / 12:30p.m. CT the Indiana Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing about its proposed reasonably available control technology requirements for nitrogen oxide pollution (NOx RACT) — a state plan to reduce harmful NOx pollution from large industrial sources in Lake and Porter Counties.

The state must submit this plan to the federal Environmental Protection Agency because the counties are currently out of compliance with federal healthy air standards, meaning public health is at risk.

The public may attend the meeting in person or join remotely.

Why It Matters

NOx pollution from steel mills and other heavy industries contributes to serious health problems like asthma, heart disease, and early death. Northwest Indiana has some of the dirtiest steel plants in the country, using outdated technology that harms the air we breathe.

IDEM’s plan doesn’t go far enough. It ignores cleaner, modern steelmaking methods that are already being used in other states and could improve public health, reduce pollution, and support good union jobs.

What We’re Asking

We need IDEM to strengthen this plan by including cleaner steelmaking technologies, like green hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), which is safer for our communities and better for the environment.

What You Can Do

Speak at the hearing on June 11 at 1:30pm ET / 12:30pm CT — personal comments make a difference. Join in person or online.
- Indiana Government Center South, 10 North Senate Avenue, Conference Center Room A in Indianapolis or online at https://events.in.gov/idem.