U.S. Steel will pay residents $2 million and invest $6.5 million to upgrade equipment at its Clairton Coke Works facility, according to a tentative settlement struck with residents in a 2017 class-action lawsuit. The proposed settlement was outlined in court documents signed by an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge Dec. 4. The suit alleged that due to U.S. Steel’s negligence, odors and pollution from the Clairton Coke Works interfered with residents’ quality of life and ability to fully enjoy their homes. More than 5,600 households fall within the class area, which extends from 1.8 kilometers to 3.2 kilometers from the facility, according to a map included in court documents. Members of the class will be notified by mail that they are eligible to participate and will have 45 days to submit a claim form, according to court documents. U.S. Steel would also be required to make $6.5 million worth of equipment improvements at the Clairton Coke Works intended to reduce air emissions within one year of the settlement’s effective date. This would include the installation of mass air coolers at the pushing emission control baghouses as well as battery machinery and refractory improvements, according to court documents. U.S. Steel declined to comment. “Now the class will obtain immediate relief, as opposed to waiting years for an uncertain outcome which would in any event be diminished by the costs of protracted litigation,” court documents outlining the settlement said. “This is a particularly important consideration where the relief is not merely monetary, but also consists of real improvements that will boost class members’ quality of life.” A fairness hearing to confirm the settlement is scheduled for Feb. 24. The Detroit-based law firm Liddle & Dubin and Pittsburgh attorney James DePasquale will represent the class. Attorneys representing the class did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The class-action settlement comes months after U.S. Steel and the Allegheny County Health Department announced a settlement agreement over $2.7 million in fines related to 2018 and early 2019 air pollution violations at the Clairton Coke Works. About 90% of those funds, or $2.5 million, will be deposited into a “community benefit trust” intended to support municipalities impacted by Clairton Cokes Works’ air pollution. The settlement with the health departmentalso requires U.S. Steel to upgrade coke oven batteries to reduce emissions. Those upgrades are expected to cost the company about $200 million. Jamie Martines is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jamie at 724-850-2867, jmartines@tribweb.com or via Twitter . Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.