Debtor National Steel/Hanna Furnace was one of three potentially responsible parties (the others were LTV Steel and the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency) that entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with EPA in May 2000 to remove contaminated soils in vacant lots at the Abby Street Site. The completion of the excavation was delayed due to concerns raised by the public. Both LTV and Hanna Furnace filed in bankruptcy before the work required by the AOC could be completed. The claim for completion of the work was raised in the context of the bankruptcy proceedings for both LTV Steel and National Steel (the parent of Hanna Furnace) . The case was referred to the Department of Justice by e-mail and telephone calls on October 31, 2002.