Ruling Expected Soon on Freedom Settlement

A federal bankruptcy judge says he’ll make a final decision soon in the Freedom Industries bankruptcy case. The proposed settlement involves Freedom Industries and attorneys for residents, West Virginia American Water, the Department of Environmental Protection and other parties. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the ruling will likely come before Judge Ronald Pearson retires from the bench after 32 years Thursday. Freedom’s proposed bankruptcy plan was submitted Aug. 12. If approved, the settlement would provide more than $2 million to affected residents and businesses, while the DEP and environmental firms will receive $1.4 million for continued cleanup work.