By Shawn Looney
Our industrial neighbors across the river, formerly known as Schnitzer Steel and now “rebranded” as Radius Recycling, recently received a $500,000 fine from DEQ. The fine is based on Radius Recycling’s metal shredder that has been spewing more volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants than allowed.
According to a recent article in the North Peninsula Review written by Barbara Quinn, air quality violations were identified by EPA when more accurate testing of emissions was used. It was determined that the shredder could emit up to 670 tons of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), exceeding the state limit of 40 tons a year. This means North Portlanders have been exposed to far more toxic pollutants than allowed by the state.
Scrap Fire at Schnitzer Steel in North Portland in 2017.
Photo credit: Portland Fire & Rescue
The penalty included operating without a Title V permit. As part of the settlement with DEQ, Radius will install an enclosure and emission controls on their shredder. Of their $500,000 civil penalty, $400,000 will go towards a supplementary environmental project that will benefit air quality near their facility.
In other states, fines have ranged from almost $1,000,000 to multiple millions. Schnitzer Steel reported $3.6 billion in revenue in 2022 and $172 million in profits.
The shredder enclosure and supplemental project, due to be fully operational by March 31, 2024, is good news for St. Johns and for Linnton – depending on where the wind blows – because we will no longer inhale quite so much of their air pollutants.