3M Settles Minnesota Scotchgard Lawsuit for $850 Million

3M Co. has settled a lawsuit with Minnesota’s Attorney General Lori Swanson for $850 million, putting an end to eight years of litigation over a former Scotchgard ingredient that got into the state’s drinking water.

The funds will be used to finance projects that involve drinking water and water sustainability, according to statements from 3M and the state, after Minnesota alleged that chemicals known as PFCs could cause harm to citizens.

The agreement materialized just as jury selection got underway Feb. 20, and after Judge Kevin S. Burke urged the parties to compromise, saying that it wasn’t in the best ...