U. S. Steel(US:X) 第一财经·2025-08-12 06:05Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a recent explosion at a steel plant in Pennsylvania, highlighting the plant's history of safety issues and environmental violations, as well as the implications of a recent acquisition by Nippon Steel Corporation which aims to invest significantly in the facility [3][5][8]. Group 1: Incident Overview - An explosion occurred at the Clairton Coke Works, a major coke plant in Pennsylvania, resulting in at least 2 deaths and multiple injuries [3][4]. - The explosion happened around 10:51 AM, leading to a fire and subsequent rescue operations for those trapped [3][4]. - The plant has a history of accidents, including a fatal incident in 2009 and another explosion in 2010 that injured numerous workers [5][6]. Group 2: Environmental and Safety Concerns - The Clairton Coke Works has faced multiple lawsuits and fines due to environmental violations, including a significant incident in 2018 that led to illegal emissions for 102 days [6]. - The plant has consistently violated the Clean Air Act, with the EPA reporting violations in every quarter over the past 12 quarters [6]. - Local health authorities have advised residents near the plant to stay indoors and take precautions following the explosion [6]. Group 3: Financial and Investment Context - The plant has suffered from long-term underinvestment, with a previous plan for over $1 billion in upgrades canceled in 2021 [8]. - Nippon Steel Corporation has acquired U.S. Steel and plans to invest $11 billion across U.S. steel plants, including $2.4 billion specifically for the Clairton facility by 2028 [8]. - This acquisition is seen as a potential turnaround for U.S. Steel, which has struggled with funding for years [8].