Performance Data

Energy Intensity Index is a measure of how efficiently we use energy compared to a base year. A number lower than 1 results from improved efficiency. This year the energy efficiency dropped to 0.94, its lowest level in the past decade following improved optimisation of productivity at the Port Kembla Steelworks.

BlueScope Steel’s energy consumption for 2002/2003 was 141.6 petajoules, up 5 per cent on 2001/2002 due to the increase in production at the Port Kembla Steelworks.

Overall fresh water consumption increased by 4 per cent from 2002 but efficiency improved from 4.4 to 4.2 kilolitres of fresh water used to produce one tonne of steel. The increase was due to increased consumption at Port Kembla Steelworks and Western Port Works.  Case Study: Water Recycling Benefits Region

Sulphur oxides, oxides of nitrogen and fine particulates are estimated predominantly from our major sites. As a new company we are reviewing the reliability of the data. To this end we have only provided data for the past 2 years for the operations that now form BlueScope Steel. Variations shown in the graphs are generally associated with improved estimation techniques.

General wastes are those wastes that can be accepted at municipal landfills and hazardous wastes are wastes that are not accepted at municipal landfills. Pickling solution, which is sent to another organisation for reuse in water treatment plants, has now been reclassified as a hazardous waste due to changes in regulations and is now reported as such, this is the reason for the increase in hazardous waste reported.

Ten Penalty Infringement Notices were received during the year totalling $13,612 and were associated with emissions to air or water and an overloaded truck. Seven of these fines were from incidents that occurred prior to the 2003 financial year.

There were no significant incidents for the 2003 financial year, however in October 2001, prior to becoming a publicly listed company, a significant environmental incident occurred. A disturbance to the process in the Port Kembla Steelworks coke making plant resulted in the discharge of emissions to air and to water. Dead fish were found in Port Kembla Steelworks main drain and adjacent Allans Creek. The drain and creek quickly returned to normal and studies have shown that no lasting environmental damage occurred. The Environment Protection Authority is currently pursuing legal action through the Land and Environment Court over the incident. BlueScope Steel has cooperated with the EPA through the past year. Legal action over this incident is expected to be completed in FY2004.

In a risk-based approach to environmental management it is important to identify risks. In BlueScope Steel we do this by reporting environmental incidents. So to improve performance it is desirable to see an increase in reporting of environmental incidents before they can be managed and reduced. In the last year we saw levels return to those seen in FY 2001.