Latest news with #CSB
E&E News
10 hours ago
- E&E News
Feds launch investigation into deadly Pa. explosion
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board on Tuesday said it will probe an explosion at a steel-making facility near Pittsburgh that left two dead and 10 people injured. 'The CSB will work to determine the cause of this tragic incident and identify actions that can be taken to help ensure that a similar disaster like this does not happen again,' said Steve Owens, the board's chair. The agency is sending a team to investigate the explosion that rocked U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works plant Monday, Owens said. The Clairton plant is the nation's largest facility that processes raw coal into coke that's used to make steel. Almost 1,300 people work at the plant. Advertisement The CSB is an independent, nonregulatory federal agency that investigates the root causes of major chemical incidents that may result in the release of hazardous substances. While the agency does not issue fines, it is tasked with conducting investigations, formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations and pushing for their implementation.
Washington Post
12 hours ago
- Washington Post
What we know about U.S. Steel plant's safety record after deadly explosion
A federal safety agency announced Tuesday that it has launched an investigation into the explosion at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania that killed two and injured at least 10 others on Monday. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) will send a team of investigators to the Clairton Coke Works facility, about 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh, the agency said in a news release. 'It should not have happened and potentially could have been prevented,' said CSB member Sylvia Johnson in the news release. The cause of the blast is still unknown. Records show that the Clairton Coke Works facility has been cited for troubles containing combustible gases, racking up tens of millions of dollars in fines in the last few years, and has faced lawsuits from environmental groups. The plant has had other explosions that left people dead and a number of others injured in the past decade and a half. The site, in the Monongahela Valley, is the largest coke manufacturing facility in North America. Baking coal into coke is a key part of making steel. The two coke oven batteries that exploded Monday were among eight that 'experienced process and equipment failures' on Feb. 26, 2024, according to Allegheny County Health Department records. That caused coke to be pushed from an oven without first capturing its emissions, and the plant was fined $1.9 million for that incident. Earlier that month, a hydraulic failure in a battery's switch led to a 'buildup of combustible material' that ignited, according to the Allegheny health department. That caused an audible 'boom' along with 20 seconds of emissions leaking. Two people required first-aid treatment after getting material in their eyes and were hospitalized but didn't have serious injuries, the health department wrote. The battery in this incident was not one that investigators said exploded Monday. The site, which employs about 1,300 people, is no stranger to dangerous explosions. A 2009 blast killed a 32-year-old steelworker. A year later, another explosion injured more than a dozen. The facility's last recorded work-related death before Monday occurred in February 2014, according to OSHA records, when a worker fell into a trench. Explosions aren't uncommon at plants like Clairton because many of the gases they produce are flammable, said Marissa Baker, a professor of occupational health at the University of Washington. The flammable gases, coupled with a leak, equipment failures, inadequate ventilation or faulty temperature control, could result in an explosion. In recent years, some facilities have been trying to move toward using less flammable gases to reduce the risk of explosions, but that push can also come with new problems, Baker said. For example, some of those gases might be more hazardous to humans, creating a harsher environment for residents who live near these plants. 'There are always tradeoffs between a lot of the industrial chemicals and products that are used,' she said. The Clairton plant accounted for at least $57 million in fines, penalties and enforcement actions by the Allegheny County Health Department since 2020, according to an analysis by The Washington Post of data provided by the Breathe Project. Though authorities have not yet determined which chemicals were emitted in the explosion or at what levels, the plant has a history of accidents and environmental violations. According to Environmental Protection Agency data compiled by the Environmental Integrity Project, a watchdog group, the plant has been in noncompliance with the Clean Air Act for the past 12 quarters and has amassed more than $10.6 million in EPA penalties over the past five years. 'This plant has had a long history of accidents, pollution problems, and a long history of violations of the Clean Air Act,' said EIP's executive director, Jen Duggan. At the end of 2023, Allegheny health officials fined U.S. Steel more than $2.2 million after issuing an enforcement order against the plant because it had unsafe amounts of the flammable gas hydrogen sulfide in the air more for than 59 days in an 18-month stretch. The plant is also known for emitting benzene, a sweet-smelling but flammable chemical linked to leukemia. One air pollution monitor at the facility's fence line registered an average benzene concentration over a six-month period between 2022 and 2023 of 25.9 micrograms per cubic meter. This is more than triple the concentration that require plants to take action under an EPA rule. The Clean Air Council and environmental group Penn Environment sued U.S. Steel in 2019 over pollution from Clairton and two other plants near Pittsburgh. The Clairton plant processes raw coal into coke, which creates a by-product called coke-oven gas, according to a filing from a 2021 federal appeals judge. All three plants run on coke-oven gas. Burning raw coke-oven gas spews benzene and hydrogen, another flammable gas, into the air, wrote Judge Stephanos Bibas. As a way to mitigate that, the Clairton plant cleans up the raw gas in several control rooms. But in December 2018 and then again in June 2019, fires shut down two of these control rooms and took them offline for months, the judge wrote. 'During those months, U.S. Steel could not fully process the raw gas, but kept burning it as fuel,' he wrote, 'That emitted pollutants into the air.' The Allegheny County Health Department later joined the lawsuit, which was settled in 2024. In an exhibit in the lawsuit, an expert wrote that the pollution control portions of the plant that clean the coke-oven gas are poorly maintained and have a recent history of major breakdowns. 'The Clairton plant is a very old facility that is forced to operate with little to no margin for error, and therefore presents a constant air pollution threat to the community,' wrote environmental engineer Ranajit Sahu. The explosion follows a recent announcement from the Trump administration that gives polluting industries around the country more time to comply with EPA regulations and is intended to reduce emissions from toxic air pollution. The move signals a reversal from Biden-era environmental regulations, which were meant to tighten air pollution control and monitoring regulations for hazardous air pollution. The local EPA office said it is actively monitoring the situation and is ready to support local and state partners, adding that it will work with state and county agencies to review compliance of facilities. 'We need more accountability and oversight, not weakening the rules that apply to coke oven facilities like Clairton,' Duggan said.
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
P. Deepa appointed new Director of CSRTI, Mysuru
P. Deepa has been appointed as the new Director of the Central Sericultural Research and Training Instititute (CSRTI) in Mysuru. Ms. Deepa, who took charge as the Director of CSRTI on Monday, had served in various capacities and units under the National Silkworm Seed Organisation, a premier R&D organisation of silkworm seed for the last 35 years. She replaces Gandhi Doss, who has been transferred to CSRTI, Berhampore. Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Deepa said her priorities will include formulating and implementing field-oriented research projects to improve mulberry and silkworm productivity, while moving towards the country's target of reaching an annual production of 50,000 tonnes of raw silk by 2030 from the present 41,121 tonnes. Development of low-cost, eco-friendly, and user-friendly technologies for stakeholders along with value addition through by-product development from mulberry and silk cocoon production processes is also a key priority area. Central Silk Board's (CSB) flagship programme — 'Mera Resham Mera Abhiman' (My Silk My Pride) is being implemented with full enthusiasm and vigour across seven States by CSRTI, Mysuru. 'The initiative is aimed at attracting the youth to sericulture,' she said, while adding that the 100-day 'Mera Resham Mera Abhiman', which began in July 2025, is expected to conclude in September 2025. A total of 80 scientists from diverse disciplines are working at CSRTI, Mysuru, which comes under the CSB.
Forbes
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
When Crop Tops Go Viral: The Story Behind CSB
Rachel Dillon, founder of CSB, Photo Credit: Courtesy of CSB When Rachel Dillon launched CSB in 2019, it started with just three crop tops. What she didn't anticipate was how two of them — the now-iconic Lexi and Sierra — would go viral and kickstart a global obsession. Five years later, the brand that began as a side project born out of the gym has grown into a fashion-forward athleisure empire, including matching sets for the gym and for lounging. In the past twelve months alone, CSB has seen over 113% growth, with a community spanning Australia, the U.S., and beyond. Now, Dillon is taking the momentum offline, bringing her digitally native brand into physical spaces with localized activations. This July, CSB opened its first-ever U.S. pop-up on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles (running through July 27). The 10-day activation features unreleased collections, exclusive merch, and custom styling appointments, all designed to bring the CSB universe to life. In a full-circle moment, the brand is also gifting 500 Lexi and Sierra crops to community members: a tribute to the two viral pieces that helped put CSB on the map. 'Those crops were a turning point,' Dillon shares. 'They were fashion-first in a category that had long prioritized function. We knew we were on to something when customers started asking for them in every color.' The "Lexi" crop by CSB, Photo Credit: Courtesy of CSB Before CSB, Dillon's life revolved around fitness, first as a passionate gym-goer, then as a trainer introducing women to weightlifting during a time when few were lifting heavy. 'I was that girl in the early 2010s showing up to the gym in a crop top I bought from a fashion store, because I couldn't find anything that felt flattering or stylish,' she recalls. What began as a frustration and a void in the market, turned into a vision. 'I wanted to create pieces that made women feel good, like they could walk into the gym and then to brunch, without needing to change. There was this huge gap between style and performance, and CSB was my way of filling it.' Dillon launched CSB (short for Crop Shop Boutique) with a tight edit of cropped silhouettes. Leggings and sets came later, as the community and category evolved. Today, the brand is known for its sculpting fits, capsule color palettes, and fashion-forward yet functional approach to activewear. One of its most buzzed-about innovations? The Invisible Scrunch Legging: a sculpting design that enhances shape without any visible scrunch. 'We wanted to offer that flattering lift, but in a more elevated, subtle way. It's been one of our fastest-selling pieces,' Dillon says. 'It's about giving women the best of both worlds. Style that works hard in and out of the gym.' CSB's "Scrunchie" leggings, Photo Credit: Courtesy of CSB CSB's tagline, 'Wear With Confidence,' isn't just marketing lingo: it's a reflection of Dillon's philosophy. 'To me, confidence means showing up for yourself regardless of external noise. It's about doing what you say you're going to do, and being proud of how you move through the world,' she shares. That mindset is embedded into every piece CSB creates, from how it fits and flatters to how it transitions between workouts and real life. 'I always say CSB is more than just a product. It's a feeling. Our community isn't just wearing leggings, they're wearing a lifestyle that supports who they are and where they're going.' While product innovation drives virality, it's community that fuels CSB's staying power. From early days spent in group chats with customers to modern-day partnerships with fitness personalities and stylists alike, Dillon has prioritized authenticity at every turn. The brand's Creative Partner, model and content creator Isabelle Mathers, has become a core collaborator, co-designing capsules, campaigns, and even a minimalist swim drop that quickly sold out. Another standout partnership is with Karin Gonzalez, the LA-based makeup artist whose signature glam-meets-fitness aesthetic mirrors CSB's runway-meets-recovery style. Looking ahead, CSB will be heading to New York Fashion Week this September, with a series of events for its East Coast community and the launch of a new capsule with Mathers. Described as 'designed for movement and momentum,' the collection leans into city-ready staples, further blurring the lines between performance and lifestyle. Building a fashion brand in today's market isn't easy. But Dillon credits CSB's sustained growth to focusing on the long game, tight creative control, and knowing when to say no. 'We've always prioritized quality over speed. If something isn't right, it doesn't go out,' she explains. 'I'd rather take an extra few months and deliver something our customers will live in than chase a quick trend.' She's also unapologetically hands-on. 'I test everything in the gym myself. I need to know: can I actually lift in this? Run in it? Does it move with me and make me feel confident?' Her advice to emerging founders? 'Don't underestimate the power of partnerships and product. The right collab, the right crop — those are what spark connection. But what keeps people coming back is how you make them feel. That's what we focus on at CSB: wear with confidence, and build from there.'
Globe and Mail
22-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
CSB Bancorp Posts Profit Gain in Q2
Key Points - Earnings per share (GAAP) rose 131% year-over-year to $1.41 in Q2 2025. Net income (GAAP) increased 131% year-over-year to $3.7 million in Q2 2025. - Asset quality improved sharply, with nonperforming loans dropping to 0.17% of total loans in Q2 2025. - Net interest margin expanded to 3.61% in Q2 2025, even as noninterest expenses (GAAP) grew 18% in the same period. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › CSB Bancorp (OTC:CSBB), a community-focused financial holding company serving northeast Ohio through its network of banks and lending products, reported second quarter earnings on July 22, 2025. The results showed a substantial year-over-year increase in both profits and margins. Earnings per share reached $1.41 compared to $0.61 the year prior, with net income (GAAP) rising to $3.7 million. There are no formal analyst estimates for CSB Bancorp, but compared with last year, the numbers indicate notable improvements in core measures of bank profitability and credit strength. The quarter stands out for strong earnings growth, gains in asset quality, and improved capital metrics, though some pressure emerged in rising noninterest expenses. Metric Q2 2025 Q2 2024 Y/Y Change EPS $1.41 $0.61 131.1 % Net Income $3.7 million $1.6 million 130.8 % Total Revenue $12.1 million $10.7 million 13.6 % Pre-Provision Net Revenue (Non-GAAP) $5.2 million $4.85 million 7.2 % Return on Average Equity (ROE) 12.48 % 5.89 % 6.59 pp Net Interest Margin (Non-GAAP) 3.61 % 3.28 % 0.33 pp Company Overview and Recent Focus CSB Bancorp operates as a community banking company, offering a range of financial services including loans, deposits, and wealth management across northeast Ohio. The company's core business centers on lending activities for commercial clients, real estate developers, and retail consumers, providing loans, mortgages, and lines of credit in addition to deposit products. In recent years, the bank's main priorities have included disciplined credit risk management, maintaining a strong regulatory capital base, and growing its share of commercial and residential mortgage lending in its region. For a community-centered firm, success relies on careful control of loan quality, effective cost management, and building customer relationships in a competitive market. Among its key strategies are routine credit reviews, compliance with regulatory standards, and ongoing assessment of regional economic conditions. Quarter Highlights and Financial Developments The quarter saw CSB Bancorp report distinct gains in profitability, asset quality, and lending activity. Net income and earnings per share (GAAP) more than doubled from the prior-year period, reflecting stronger operating results and much lower credit loss provision expenses. Return on average equity (GAAP) improved to 12.48% in Q2 2025, a notable rise from 5.89% in Q2 2024. Asset quality trends stood out. Nonperforming loans (GAAP) decreased sharply from $6.7 million to $1.4 million, now accounting for just 0.17% of total loans, compared to 0.93% in Q2 2024. Loan delinquency rates dropped to 0.30% from 1.16% compared to Q2 2024. Provision set aside for credit losses decreased 79% to $614,000 compared to Q2 2024. Allowance for credit losses (GAAP) declined to $8.3 million, or 1.05% of loans in Q2 2025, as the company absorbed the impact of a large commercial charge-off in 2024. While this lower reserve reflects the improvement in loan quality, it is a metric that will need monitoring if economic conditions change. The bank grew its commercial loan and residential mortgage portfolios, with average commercial loan balances up 10% and residential mortgages increasing by 8%. Deposits rose 5% to $1.07 billion compared to Q2 2024, supported by growth in time deposits and interest-bearing accounts, balancing out a small decline in noninterest-bearing deposits. Loan demand remained robust in the business segment despite a challenging economic environment with cautious consumer and business spending. Net interest income (GAAP) climbed 16% from the year-earlier period, as a higher mix of loans and improved loan yields drove results. Net interest margin widened to 3.61%, up from 3.28% in Q2 2024, reflecting loan yields averaging 5.92% and deposit costs down to 1.32%. Noninterest income (GAAP) was also up slightly, with growth driven by bank-owned life insurance, increased securities gains, and higher debit card fee income. On the expense side, noninterest expenses (GAAP) rose 18%, led by salaries and employee benefits, which climbed 28%. This partly reflects the reversal of a one-time reduction in incentive pay from the previous year. The efficiency ratio edged up to 56.6% from 54.2% in Q2 2024, indicating costs grew somewhat faster than income. This is a ratio bankers use to monitor how well a company controls costs relative to revenues. The company's capital and financial strength advanced as well. Book value per share (GAAP) rose 11% to $46.11 compared to Q2 2024, while the tangible equity ratio (non-GAAP) finished at 9.48%. Management declared a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, yielding an annualized 3.8% based on the June 30, 2025 closing price. Shareholder equity (GAAP) grew to $121.7 million, and the loan-to-deposit ratio was 72.9%. Outlook and Things to Watch Management did not provide numerical guidance for the current or full year financial results. However, it did indicate a continued focus on loan growth, stable capital ratios, and monitoring economic changes within its northeast Ohio base. Executives described ongoing steady construction and acquisition financing activity, while highlighting that businesses and households remain cautious with discretionary spending. Statements from leadership noted the uncertainty in wider U.S. economic policy, mentioning, 'While eventual economic outcomes from changing trade, immigration, and tax policies remain unclear, the U.S. economy has shown few signs of significant deterioration.' No formal or quantified guidance was supplied for earnings, revenue, or loan growth. Investors should monitor credit reserve levels, cost trends, and sustained improvement in asset quality. The sharp drop in nonperforming loans and provision expenses marks clear positives. The quarterly dividend was maintained at $0.41 per share. Revenue and net income presented using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) unless otherwise noted. Where to invest $1,000 right now When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,055%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor. *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025
