Ohio Settles with Rock Salt Firms, Sets Up Online Claims Process

Ohio has introduced an online claims process to allow local governments to claim a share of the $11.5 million settlement with two rock salt producers that state officials say conspired to drive up prices.

Public entities in the state that bought salt from Morton Salt Inc. and Cargill Inc. between July 2008 and July 2011 may be eligible for a share of the settlement. The deadline to submit a claim is Aug. 7.

The settlement ends a lawsuit filed by the state in 2012. It alleged the two companies agreed not to compete with each other to inflate prices over a decade, resulting in Ohio and local governments paying above-market prices for rock salt to de-ice roads, highways and bridges.