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SC Johnson and Clean Wisconsin Sue WDNR Over Oak Creek Coal Plant Air Permit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2005Contributed by Shauna Cook
Contact:
Katie Nekola, Energy Program Director, Ofc: 608-251-7020, ext. 14
SC Johnson and Clean Wisconsin Sue WDNR Over Oak Creek Coal Plant Air Permit
MADISON, WI - Clean Wisconsin and SC Johnson have filed a lawsuit with the Dane County Circuit Court, challenging the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) issuance of an air pollution permit for WE Energies' proposed Elm Road Generating Station.SC Johnson and Clean Wisconsin are challenging the permit based on the DNR's failure to consider health-related evidence in its analysis of the costs and benefits of the project, and its failure to consider alternative technologies that would reduce pollution. "There are better ways to control air emissions than the process approved by the DNR, and the agency's failure to evaluate those technologies violates the Clean Air Act and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines," said Katie Nekola, Energy Program Director for Clean Wisconsin.
"Considering that the DNR recently warned the public about unsafe levels of air pollution in the state, it is completely unacceptable that they would give the utility the green light to dump 1000 more tons of particulate matter into the air every year," said Nekola. "The DNR has an obligation to the people of Wisconsin to require utilities to use the best available control technology to prevent air pollution. And what was approved is not the best available technology."
Southeastern Wisconsin is designated a non-attainment ozone area, which means there are high levels of ground-level ozone gas. The proposed coal-burning plant would make the problem much worse. Citizens and businesses in non-attainment zones are required to pay more for their energy consumption, which has caused businesses like Quad Graphics and Harley Davidson to build new plants outside the area in order to benefit from lower energy costs.
"If we are serious about bringing new jobs to the community," continued Nekola, "we would choose to pollute less, not more. It is dangerously short-sighted not to consider the long-term costs a dirty environment will have on our economy and our public health."
In November, Dane County Circuit Court judge David Flanagan vacated the PSCW's decision to approve construction of the two coal-fired units in Oak Creek. The judge noted numerous deficiencies in the application process. The air permit issued by DNR grants WE Energies permission to emit tons of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, and other toxic pollutants into Wisconsin's air.
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and corporations accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608.251.7020, Fax: 608.251.1655, Email: info@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.