Arch subsidiary International Coal Group arranged to pay $350,000 for the pollution violations but was reportedly pressed to agree to a 64% hike in the fines after protesting plaintiffs said the payment was too low.
An Associated Press report quoted Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bruce Scott who noted additional fines would cover other violations by the company that occurred between 2010 and this year.
“These are substantial penalties and that’s not a small dollar amount, certainly in the eyes of most people,” Scott said.
According to the report, $335,000 will go to a program that eliminates straight pipe sewers in eastern Kentucky and $240,000 will fund water quality studies in the state.
The settlement has not yet been finalized.
