Group threatens to sue Wis. ethanol plants over violations

Feb. 9 -- A Midwest environmental law center has filed two notices of intent to sue Wisconsin ethanol makers for alleged clean water violations.

Midwest Environmental Advocates is giving Utica Energy LLC in Oshkosh, Wis., and Didion Milling Inc.´s Cambria, Wis., ethanol facility 60 days from its Feb. 4 notices to address their concerns. The group claims the two companies have combined for more than 4,994 documented violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Midwest Environmental Advocates filed the intent to sue on behalf of the Clean Water Action Council and private citizens in Cambria.

The notices allege the companies´ ethanol plants are illegally discharging chlorine, zinc, phosphorus and other pollutants into local waters.

"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," said Karen Schapiro, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates.

E-mail Waste News reporter Joe Truini at jtruini@crain.com