ArcelorMittal Subsidiary to Pay $1.5M in Pennsylvania Coke Plant Lawsuit

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A subsidiary of European steel giant ArcelorMittal has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit over allegations its western Pennsylvania coke plant violated emissions requirements over soot and other pollutants almost daily, according to a proposed agreement filed in Pittsburgh’s federal court.

The environmental advocacy group that sued, Philadelphia-based PennEnvironment, said it believes the penalty is the largest secured by a citizen lawsuit in Pennsylvania history under the federal Clean Air Act.

Federal and state officials, as well as representatives of ArcelorMittal and PennEnvironment, signed the 108-page proposed agreement.

As part of the agreement, ArcelorMittal agreed to implement air pollution controls the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated would cost $2 million. The proposed agreement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and must receive a judge’s approval.

In a statement, the company said restarting the coke plant was challenging, and its environmental performance during that period was “unacceptable.” It said it has been working to improve the facility’s performance and is committed to achieving full compliance with its environmental requirements.