The Times West Virginian

December 4, 2008

Severstal says case against Massey is validated


WHEELING — Severstal North America says it’s happy to have closure on a long-running dispute between its Wheeling plant and a Massey Energy subsidiary.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the case, which involved a $100 million punitive damages award against Massey.

Severstal vice president Marty Szymanski said late Wednesday the Supreme Court’s decision ends the appeals process, allows the original $260 million jury award to stand and validates the steelmaker’s case.

The dispute was between Massey’s Central West Virginia Energy Company and the former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and its coke plant, Mountain State Carbon. The steelmaker accused the coal companies of reneging on coal supply contracts.

Severstal completed its acquisition of Wheeling-Pitt from Esmark Inc. in August.