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Opponents of coke plant fail to convince Murphy
Thursday, November 05, 1998 By Don Hopey, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Opponents of a proposed Sun Coke Co./LTV coke plant in Hazelwood finally faced off with one of the plant's biggest supporters, Mayor Murphy, but they didn't change his mind.
After listening to nine members of Citizens Helping Our Community passionately argue health and economic concerns for more than an hour in his office yesterday afternoon, Murphy responded by saying he'd heard nothing new.
"All I am hearing is that intuitively you don't think a coke plant is a good idea for Hazelwood," he said. "If your minds are made up, that doesn't leave room to negotiate."
Sun Coke Co. of Knoxville, Tenn., is considering construction of a $350 million coking facility on the site of the old LTV plant that closed in February and was regularly in violation of federal emissions standards.
Sun's proposed plant would emit about the same amount of airborne particles and sulfur dioxide -- components of unhealthy smog -- but odors and emissions of other toxic chemicals would be less.
Opponents were disappointed that Murphy refused requests that he order a study of the economic impact of a new coke plant and an epidemiological health study of the Hazelwood area where they claim there is a high rate of cancer.
Sam Strati, 68, of Hazelwood, handed Murphy a list containing the names of 41 neighbors who died of cancer or lung disease in the last five years.
"The plant may not be the only reason these people died, but I don't think we should go ahead and build a new one just because one was here before," Strati said. "We need to determine if it's safe for our health."
Murphy said that until Sun and LTV finalize a deal it is premature to do expensive health and economic studies.
If they agree to build a coke plant in Hazelwood, the mayor promised to work for the cleanest plant possible.
"I'd be happy to push Sun to get a certain standard of behavior before it comes into our community," he said. "And if they can't reach that level, I won't support it any longer."
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