PotashCorp-Aurora will make $32 million worth of technological upgrades to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, as decreed by a settlement with the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The settlement between Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) and the federal agencies was announced this week — resolution for claims PCS violated the Clean Air Act when it modified facilities in ways that released excess sulfur dioxide into surrounding communities.

“Large industrial facilities that break the law and pollute the air will be held accountable,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This case will bring these companies into compliance and require additional action to cut pollution to benefit communities, especially those most vulnerable to air pollution.”

PCS is the parent company of PotashCorp-Aurora. Its three plants, as well as well four plants owned by PCS subsidiary White Springs Agricultural Chemicals Inc. in White Springs, Fla., and a Geismar, La., plant owned by another PCS subsidiary, AA Sulfuric Inc., are now required to spend an estimated $50 million to install, upgrade and operate state-of-the-art pollution reduction measures, as well as install emissions monitors at the eight sulfuric acid plants.

A $1.3 million civil penalty has also been issued to the PCS, $950,000 of which will be paid to the U.S. Government. The other $350,000 has been awarded to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

According to PotashCorp-Aurora’s Manager of Public Affairs Ray McKeithan, the Aurora operation was not issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act by the EPA, but PotashCorp decided to work with regulators, seeking an agreement rather than pursue potentially costly and time-consuming litigation. McKeithan said PotashCorp’s regulatory compliance costs associated with environmental stewardship amounted to $83 million last year, an amount that presents challenges to keeping the Aurora site competitive on a global scale.

“This settlement demonstrates our commitment to community investment and environmental stewardship, core values for our site and the company,” McKeithan wrote in a press release.

Earlier this year, the North Carolina General Assembly attempted to insert into its Regulatory Reform Bill that ambient air monitors the federal law doesn’t require could be removed from sites across the state, which included a monitor at the Bayview ferry site in Bath, where residents have long complained of the odor emitted from PotashCorp-Aurora.

Pamlico-Tar River Foundation has been the recipient of many of those complaints about air quality, along with complaints about accelerated erosion of metals and car paints in the area.

“After a while people just stopped calling because nothing ever happens,” said PTRF Riverkeeper Heather Jacobs Deck.

Deck said PTRF was unaware of any action by the EPA and DOJ before the press release announcing the settlement was issued Thursday.

“We hope this means they’ll come into compliance with the Clean Air Act to the benefit of public health. These upgrades should result in better air quality for communities in Beaufort County,” Deck said.

Effects of exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide include respiratory illness and aggravation to cardiovascular disease. With increased relative humidity, sulfur dioxide has also been proven to accelerate the corrosion of metals.