Clean Wisconsin sues Department of Natural Resources over air permit
Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy group, filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asking the state court to force the DNR to issue an air permit to the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation's Weston coal plant, which has been operating with an expired permit since 2009.
Based in Rothschild, the Weston coal plant is a major power facility in Wisconsin. It emits rougly 16 million pounds of sulfur oxide and over 5 million pounds of nitrogen oxides. Both these chemicals create soot and smog, according to Clean Wisconsin's press release, and particulate – which the power plant releases 1.4 million pounds – can enable health problems for residents, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
"The Weston coal plant emits millions of pounds of toxic pollution every year, fills the air with soot and smog, and threatens the health of Wisconsin families," said Elizabeth Wheeler, the staff attorney at Clean Wisconsin. "An updated air permit is needed to help protect the thousands of residents living near the Weston coal plant."
The federal government's Clean Air Act requires each state to issue air permits ensuring that facilities meet public health standards. While Weston's air permit expired on October 15, 2009, the DNR has also failed to take action in regards to enforcing the regulations. Its deadline to issue a new permit was on March 18, 2011, effectively making the permit a year late.
As both the power plant and the DNR are in compromised situations that may require them to recant the reasons for their actions – or lack thereof – the court depositions may be rather exhaustive. In order for lawyers in this case and any similar ones to get the most accurate deposition transcripts, they may want to partner with Wisconsin court reporters who can provide an accurate deposition service.
