PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A federal judge in Rhode Island is set to resentence a Texas gas company for an environmental crime, after he asked the environmental community for ideas for a punishment when his original $18 million penalty was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. District Judge William Smith has said he is limited to a sentence equivalent to $500,000 when he sentences Southern Union Co. on Tuesday.
That’s significantly less than the original $6 million fine and $12 million in charitable contributions he imposed for its conviction for improperly storing mercury.
Environmental groups suggested the company be ordered to pay for mercury studies, a program to reduce food waste and other projects.
Federal prosecutors have urged a fine of $100,000 and a $400,000 community service payment to a public body.