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April 23, 2008

Residents of polluted Tiverton neighborhood settle suit

PROVIDENCE -- Lawyers for dozens of residents of a polluted Tiverton neighborhood say they have agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against an energy company over contamination that turned the soil under their homes blue.

Terms of the settlement with Southern Union Co. are sealed and lawyers would not discuss details today. But Robert McConnell and Mark Reynolds, who represent the neighbors, tell The Associated Press they have reached a settlement that is contingent on several conditions.

Reynolds says the settlement involves money to the property owners as well as a pledge to clean up the contaminated properties.

A spokesman for Houston-based Southern Union did not immediately return a message left today.

Tests revealed the ground was contaminated with arsenic, cyanide, lead and other toxins.

About 150 residents of the Bay Street neighborhood had filed the lawsuit, which was scheduled to go to trial in U.S. District Court, Providence. Jury selection was to begin today and testimony was to start Monday.

Read a previous story.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry  at 11:58 AM | Permalink

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