Local Citizens File Notices of Intent to Sue

Madison, WI – Today, Midwest Environmental Advocates filed two separate notices of intent to sue Utica Energy in Oshkosh and Didion Ethanol in Cambria for a combined total of more than 4,994 documented violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Midwest Environmental Advocates filed the notice of intent on Utica Energy on behalf of Clean Water Action Council of Northeastern Wisconsin, and filed the notice of intent on Didion Ethanol on behalf of private citizens of the Village of Cambria. The notices allege continuous illegal discharges of chlorine, zinc, phosphorus and other pollutants into area waters.

Clean Water Action Council of Northeastern Wisconsin and private citizens in Cambria fear that the companies are not responding to efforts of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to bring them into compliance with state and federal environmental laws. While WDNR has issued a notice of violation to one of the facilities, both Utica Energy and Didion Ethanol continue to dump pollutants into waterways in Winnebago and Columbia Counties at amounts that exceed the limits required by law. Clean Water Action Council of Northeastern Wisconsin and citizens of Cambria are demanding that these companies clean up their act and pay penalties for their violations.

The blatant disregard of water quality laws provides an unfair advantage to these ethanol plants, especially in these difficult economic times. “Corn ethanol in Wisconsin continues to be an environmental bust, not an environmental boon,” says Karen Schapiro, Executive Director of Midwest Environmental Advocates, attorneys for both Clean Water Action Council and the private citizens. “It has become too easy for these types of facilities to flout both state and federal environmental laws, unfairly benefiting those that shirk their social and environmental responsibilities. Though all ethanol facilities are feeling the economic pinch, those that violate the law should be held accountable.”

The notices of intent to sue provide Utica Energy and Didion Ethanol sixty days to address their violations of the Clean Water Act. After sixty days, Clean Water Action Council and the citizens of Cambria can bring suit against the facilities in federal court. (0) Comments