ArcelorMittal has received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Diesel Emission Reduction Act/Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative grant in the amount of $164,032 to repower three diesel engines on front-end loaders at the Indiana Harbor facility.

The Northwest Indiana Forum (Forum) facilitated the grant and ArcelorMittal matched the grant monies to cover the total project cost.

Repowering the engines will not only reduce air emissions from the facility, but will also reduce fuel consumption and the facility’s overall carbon footprint.

“ArcelorMittal is a proactive organization with a history of working to reduce emissions,” said Kay Nelson, Director of Environmental Affairs at the Forum. “Repowering the engines is not mandatory. ArcelorMittal stepped up their efforts to create a better environment.”

ArcelorMittal and the Forum with the help of URS Corporation, originally applied for funding of 13 engines. Due to the popularity of the EPA Clean Diesel grant program, more applications and requests, EPA awarded the Forum and ArcelorMittal a grant to cover 3 of the 13 engines. Reapplication for funding the remaining 10 engines will occur in the next grant cycle.

“Indiana Harbor is honored to be among the recipients of this grant,” said Mike Heaney, Senior Division Manager, Maintenance, Environmental and Utilities. “This project is another step toward achieving our goal to make a positive impact on the air quality in our community.”

The Forum through its Foundation acted as grant manager and fiduciary. In this case the Foundation plays a vital role in regional education for industrial, governmental and environmental stakeholders relating to pollution prevention and general environmental issues.