Call for Indiana’s Steel Industry to “Lead the Global Transition to Sustainable Steel”
[July 1, 2024 – Burns Harbor, Indiana] Mighty Earth, along with the Indiana Sustainable Steel Coalition —a newly formed coalition of faith, consumer advocacy, and environmental organizations — has released a letter calling on decision-makers to urgently shift towards sustainable steel mills. This initiative is set to protect Indiana’s 28,000 steel workers, align with leading automakers’ carbon neutrality commitments, create thousands of jobs, and reinforce Indiana’s position as the nation’s top steel producer.
The organizational sign-on letter, which was delivered to business leaders and elected officials, was accompanied by a full-page ad in the Indianapolis Star and a homepage takeover of the media outlet. The group will also be circulating a petition among Indiana residents for signatures before being delivered to steel companies and elected officials.
The coalition asks Indiana policymakers and decision-makers to collaborate with them and Indiana communities to secure a sustainable future for steelmaking in the state. “Indiana can lead the global transition to sustainable steel, benefiting our economy and our state,” the letter concludes.
The global steel market is rapidly moving towards sustainability, with major steel customers, such as automakers, striving to become carbon neutral. General Motors (GM), Honda, Toyota, Stellantis, and Subaru — all with factories in Indiana— have committed to achieving carbon neutrality in their supply chains.
Currently, Indiana’s steel mills, which heavily rely on polluting fossil fuels without credible plans for sustainability, are far behind fulfilling the commitments made by leading automakers. The Burns Harbor plant in Porter County, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, is facing a critical decision: reline its blast furnace and extend its coal-based operations until 2040, or transition to sustainable steel production free of fossil fuels. Sustainable mills have the potential to cut 95% of carbon emissions and toxic pollutants while preserving and creating new steelworker jobs.
Steelmakers Indiana were not awarded any IRA funding in the latest rounds of announcements from the Department of Energy. Instead, the two largest awards of $500 million dollars went to Cleveland-Cliffs for the Middletown Works facility in Ohio and to Swedish steelmaker SSAB for a facility in Mississippi. To keep up with other steelmaking states and stay competitive in the global steel market, Indiana must increase investments in green steel.
Quotes from participating organizations & supporters:
Mike Oles, Indiana Organizing Director, Mighty Earth:
“The fact that Indiana’s steelmakers completely missed out on the first round of Inflation Reduction Act funding for industrial decarbonization should be a wake-up call for Indiana’s leaders.
“The Indiana Sustainable Steel Coalition wants people across the Hoosier state to understand that the future of steel is sustainability, and we can either work together to lead Indiana’s steel industry into the future or watch as other states pass us by.”
Susan Thomas, Director of Legislation & Policy, Just Transition Northwest Indiana:
“Communities in Northwest Indiana, especially environmental justice areas heavily impacted by steel pollution are ready for a transformative shift to a renewable energy-powered economy. By harnessing sustainable steel production, we can create a win-win for the local economy: future-proofing family-sustaining union jobs and safeguarding community and environmental health along Lake Michigan.”
Bob Tribble, Indiana Steel Worker, Local 1014:
“As a lifelong Northwest Indiana resident and an active steelworker, I hope our industry can achieve sustainability. I’ve spent forty years making steel, and I know we can ensure that the next generation of Hoosier steelworkers has good union jobs while we also clean up our air and water. Indiana leads the country in steel production and for that to continue and grow we must start moving towards sustainable steel production.”
Notes to the editor:
- Letter Signers: Mighty Earth, Just Transition Northwest Indiana, Indiana Conservation Voters, Citizens Action Coalition, Northwood Christian Church, Faith in Place Action Fund, Metro East Green Alliance, Highland Neighbors for Sustainability, Indiana Environmental Clean Energy J40 Inc., Industrious labs, Public Citizen
- Report: Sustainable Metals Manufacturing Opportunities in Indiana
