Deal Proposed in 3-State Pollution Suit Against U.S. Steel

Settlement for 2012 pollution lawsuit

A proposed settlement has been announced in a 2012 pollution lawsuit brought by the federal government, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan against U.S. Steel Corporation.

The Department of Justice says in a Tuesday statement that, as part of a settlement, U.S. Steel would reduce pollution at three iron and steel plants in the Midwest; in Gary, Indiana; Encorse, Michigan; and Granite City, Illinois.

The settlement filed in Hammond-based U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is subject to final approval by a judge.

U.S. Steel would spend nearly $2 million on seven environmental projects. That includes removing light fixtures in schools containing toxic chemicals.

It also commits to spending $800,000 on removing contaminated transformers at its Gary and Encorse facilities. It’ll pay a $2.2 million civil penalty.