Big coal producer in settlement over tainted water

One of the nation’s largest coal producers will pay a $27.5 million fine and spend $200 million to reduce illegal toxic discharges into hundreds of waterways across five Appalachian states, according to a proposed settlement Wednesday. The agreement includes the largest fine ever for violations of water pollution permits. The Associated Press obtained details about the settlement before it was filed Wednesday in federal court in West Virginia. The discharges occurred in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.