(CN) - Cement and glassmakers across the United States settled with the U.S. Justice Department to reduce air emissions at 28 plants by installing pollution-control technologies and enforcing emission limits. The settlement will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by 41,000 tons a year, prosecutors say.
Saint-Gobain Contains, a glass bottle manufacturer, and Lafarge North America, a Portland cement manufacturer, had modified plants without permits and without installing mandatory pollution control equipment, according to the settled complaint in Seattle Federal Court.
The settlements cover 15 U.S. plants owned by Saint-Gobain Containers and all 13 U.S. plants owned by the Lafarge North America.
Saint-Gobain Containers agreed to spend up to $112 million to install pollution control equipment to reduce emissions by about 6,000 tons per year. It will pay a $2.25 million civil penalty to the federal government and individual states.
Lafarge North America and two subsidiaries will install control technologies at a cost of up to $170 million to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 9,000 tons a year and sulfur oxide by more than 26,000 tons per year. The cement manufacturer also agreed to pay a $5 million civil fine.
Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter can cause respiratory ailments, like acid rain and hurt water quality.
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