Arkansas-based Big River Steel was granted a 28-day extension Wednesday to respond to a federal lawsuit filed by Nucor to stop the $1.3 billion project from moving forward.
The lawsuit seeks a revocation of Big River Steel’s state-issued air permit, and the company must now respond to the complaint by October 10. Nucor opposed the extension request, claiming that any delay in the lawsuit will disable efforts to stop the mill from being constructed.
"With each passing day, more resources are poured into the construction of the facility," attorneys for Nucor wrote in a court filing. "(Big River Steel) will likely argue, in opposition to an injunction, that the extent to which the project has been completed will affect the balance of harm involved in the issuance of an injunction."
Big River Steel is planning a groundbreaking event for September 22. Nucor operates a steel mill 20 miles away.
"Nucor clearly has a vital interest in the air quality of the region, including Mississippi County, Arkansas, because if the air quality goes down, the productivity of Nucor's workforce will likewise go down, hindering Nucor's ability to generate revenue and decreasing the value of Nucor's Arkansas facilities," Nucor's lawsuit said.