(Pines, IN) - NIPSCO has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve alleged soil contamination just outside LaPorte County.

According to the DOJ, NISPCO distributed coal ash as landscaping fill to homes in the town of Pines, which is a few miles west of Michigan City. The ash contained hazardous substances including arsenic, thallium and lead.

Last week, the Merrillville-based power company agreed to spend $11.8 million to pay for clean-up. They will also pay for monitoring residential drinking water wells in the area.

A federal court will approve the agreement after a 30-day public comment period.