NATURE OF THE CASE UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION OPERATES A FULLY INTE- GRATED STEEL MILL IN LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA ON LAKE MICHIGAN. AMONG THE MANY SOURCES OF PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS AT THIS MILL IS A SINTER PLANT (NO. 3) WHICH AGGLOMERATES ORE FINES, COAL, AND LIMESTONE INTO A CAKE-LIKE SUBSTANCE SUIT- ABLE FOR USE IN THE BLAST FURNACE PROCESS. DURING THE PRO- DUCTION OF SINTER, LARGE AMOUNTS OF DUST ARE MIXED WITH THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION AND DUCTED THROUGH A GAS-CLEANING DEVICE BEFORE BEING RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. UNITED STATES STEEL'S NO. 3 SINTER PLANT AT GARY CONSISTS OF THREE SEPARATE PRODUCTION LINES, EACH OF WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY ITS OWN SERIES OF GAS CLEANING EQUIPMENT. TWO OF THE THREE LINES EMIT PARTICULATE MATTER EXCEEDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER REFERENCED ABOVE. CAUSE OF ACTION UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION'S NO. 3 SINTER PLANT EMISSIONS ARE IN VIOLATION OF INTERIM REQUIREMENTS IN A FEDERAL COURT ORDER ENTERED ON APRIL 26, 1983, PURSUANT TO THE STEEL INDUSTRY COMPLIANCE EXTENSION ACT OF 1981. THIS RECOMMENDED CONTEMPT ACTION IS NECESSARY TO INSURE THAT ADDITIONAL ORDERS ARE ENTERED WHICH REQUIRE UNITED STATES CORPORATION TO MEET APPROPRIATE EMISSION LIMITATIONS AND TO SECURE PENALTIES FOR UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION'S ABUSE OF THE EXTENSION ACT LEGISLATION.