The bill was prompted by decades-old contamination in Tiverton that turned soil underneath homes blue. More than 100 residents of the town have reached a legal settlement requiring the Southern Union gas company to pay millions for a cleanup and damages.

Under the legislation, the maximum daily fine for industrial polluters would rise from $1,000 to $25,000 per violation.

Gov. Don Carcieri (kuh-CHEHR'-ee) will lead a ceremonial bill signing Thursday morning at Tiverton Town Hall.

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