05/12/2015 // JusticeNewsFlash // (press release)
New York – Authorities say the federal government has settled with a coke plant accused of being an “environmental outlaw.” A report by The Associated Press states the government agreed to a $12 million settlement to be paid by the Tonawanda Coke Corp. over environmental crimes.
In accordance with the agreement, Tonawanda Coke will be required to spend $7.9 on upgrades to reduce the amount of pollution emitted by the coal-burning industrial company and pay civil penalties totaling $2.75 million. The settlement increases the total of civil and criminal penalties that have been imposed against the company to $42 million.
Tonawanda Coke produces coke, which is used in the steelmaking process, by burning coal. The company’s environmental manger was sentenced last year to one year of jail time in connection with alleged federal environmental crimes. The company was then also ordered to help fund two environmental studies and pay a $12.5 million fine.
Judith Enck, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regional administrator, stated during a conference call of the settlement “Tonawanda Coke has been an environmental outlaw for too long. Today's legal settlement will provide greater public health protections for the people of western New York.”
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