US Steel agrees to spend millions to settle lawsuit over air pollution violations after 2018 fire

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — U.S. Steel has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the Pittsburgh-based company of violating federal clean air laws by operating plants without its desulfurization controls for more than three months, emitting clouds of sulfurous gas into surrounding towns. Environmental groups Clean Air Council and PennEnvironment said the settlement was filed in federal court Monday for a judge to review. U.S. Steel is agreeing to spend another $19.5 million on equipment upgrades and $5 million on local clean air programs. The settlement agreement says U.S. Steel already spent $17.5 million on upgrades to its Mon Valley Works plants after a 2018 Christmas Eve fire that damaged the pollution control equipment.