Nucor Corporation, Inc. will spend nearly $100 million to settle an environmental suit alleging that it failed to control the amount of pollution released from its steel factories in seven states, under an agreement reached with the Justice Department and EPA. This is the largest and most comprehensive environmental settlement ever with a steel manufacturer.

The settlement, filed in U.S. District Court in Florence, SC, requires Nucor to undertake broad environmental improvements at its 14 facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company also will pay a $9 million civil penalty and spend another $4 million on continued emissions monitoring of hazardous pollutants and environmental projects to benefit the communities where the factories are located.

• Enforcement Alert: "U.S. EPA Encourages Iron and Steel 'Minimills' to Self Audits to Address Noncompliance with Environmental Requirements; Nucor Corp. Agrees to Control Practices; Provides Model for Industry"