Williams Cos. Agrees to Pay $12 Million to Settle Antitrust Suit

Williams Cos. and affiliates reached a $12 million deal with buyers over allegations that the companies conspired to increase natural gas prices.

Judge James D. Peterson of the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin granted preliminary approval of the deal Tuesday.

Commercial and industrial consumers sued Williams Cos., Williams Merchant Services Co., WPX Energy Marketing LLC, and others. They alleged that the companies falsely reported prices to trade publications that generate price indexes, resulting in the consumers paying excessive prices for natural gas.

Peterson certified the class, which includes entities that purchased natural gas from January 2000 ...