Released on July 14, 2010

McWane Inc., Birmingham, Ala., announced it has resolved 100% of its past environmental issues and is committed to improving its record going forward.

According to a release issued by McWane, which operates 13 metalcasting facilities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and states of Alabama and Iowa have reached an agreement with the company for resolution of its past environmental issues.

“In 2004, we proposed to EPA and DOJ a transparent and innovative framework for the resolution of past civil compliance issues at our company,” said McWane President Ruffner Page Jr. “DOJ and EPA accepted our proposed framework, and today we are pleased to announce the success of our efforts.”

Page said the agreement will include a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding historical civil environmental enforcement matters at 28 plants. According to the executive, McWane agreed to turn prior environmental audits over to a third party mediator.

“The mediator reviewed the audit results and recommended appropriate resolutions of the issues,” Page said. “These recommendations, together with issues identified by EPA and participating state environmental agencies, provided the foundation for negotiating the final settlement.”

According to the McWane statement, DOJ and EPA gave the company the maximum cooperation discount possible under statutory guidelines in reaching the final penalty figure. McWane has agreed to implement several supplemental environmental projects as part of the settlement. The agreement also requires that McWane continue to operate and improve its environmental management system to help ensure ongoing compliance.

McWane is a manufacturer of ductile iron pipe, valves, hydrants and fittings. The company employs 4,200 in 25 manufacturing plants, including its 13 ferrous metalcasting facilities.