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Severstal Sparrows Point Reduces Locomotive Emissions

10/15/2010 - Severstal Sparrows Point has completed a clean diesel project that will improve air quality by reducing idling emissions and by helping to increase the energy efficiency of the Sparrows Point switch locomotives.

Severstal Sparrows Point has completed a clean diesel project that will improve air quality by reducing idling emissions and by helping to increase the energy efficiency of the Sparrows Point switch locomotives.
 
Working in conjunction with the Port of Baltimore Clean Diesel Program, the company retrofitted seven locomotives at Sparrows Point with SmartStart equipment that reduces idling time and associated emissions. The SmartStart equipment automatically shuts down the locomotive engine when it has idled for a predetermined amount of time while not in use. The engine automatically restarts to keep engine coolant warm in cold weather and also when power is demanded from the locomotive.
 
“Our use of this idle reduction technology will provide substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, possibly as much as 50 percent during certain periods of the year,” said Doug Halverson, Manager of the Patapsco and Back Rivers Railroad.
 
Severstal Sparrows Point’s locomotives were retrofitted through funding awarded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that permitted the US EPA to support clean diesel projects.
 
“We were pleased to be selected to participate with the Port of Baltimore Clean Diesel Program, as this locomotive project is representative of our ongoing voluntary efforts to install equipment and technologies that minimize emissions associated with the operations at Sparrows Point,” said Russell Becker, Severstal Sparrows Point’s Division Manager of Environmental Engineering and Affairs.
 
Severstal North America, the third-largest steelmaker in the United States, specializes in a full range of highest-quality light flat rolled products. Fully integrated operations are located in Michigan, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. A new state‐of‐the‐art electric arc furnace operation in Mississippi serves the growing demand for steel in the southeastern United States. Severstal North America also has several joint ventures for highest-quality coated products.
 
Severstal International, an operating division of OAO Severstal, comprises the North American and European segments.
 
OAO Severstal is an international steel and mining company that focuses on high-value-added and unique niche products and operates high‐quality assets in Russia, North America and Europe.