Perdue AgriBusiness LLC has reached a $12 million settlement with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) over air pollution violations at its soybean facility in Salisbury. The settlement includes an $8 million civil penalty, over $3.5 million in onsite pollution reduction actions, and $400,000 allocated for environmental projects in Salisbury. The violations stemmed from Perdue's failure to reapply for necessary permits after withdrawing a permit application in 2017 and subsequently expanding operations without approval, contributing to increased air emissions and ozone pollution. MDE officials emphasized the need for strict adherence to environmental laws, as communities bear the brunt of industrial pollution. Perdue has committed to acquiring the required permits and implementing cleaner processing technologies to comply with regulations. The settlement aims to remedy past missteps while benefiting the local community and ensuring better environmental practices moving forward.