PRANKE BROTHERS AUTO WRECKING, INC. AGREES TO PAY PENALTIES AND CEASE OPEN BURNING TO SETTLE AIR POLLUTION LAWSUIT

MADISON - Pranke Brothers Auto Wrecking, Inc., together with its owners, Edwin A. and David G. Pranke, Sr., will pay $30,000 for alleged air pollution violations at their automobile salvage yard near Wittenberg, Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) filed and settled the case in Shawano County Circuit Court following an investigation by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The State's complaint alleged that Pranke Brothers Auto Wrecking violated solid waste management and air pollution prevention laws by open burning waste from at least 15 mobile homes.  It also alleged that Pranke Brothers Auto Wrecking left fires unattended, and also failed to maintain adequate fire suppression equipment on-site.

Wisconsin law prohibits the open burning of plastic, rubber, asphalt, garbage and other substances that produce harmful emissions, and it prohibits the incineration of solid waste without a license.  State law also requires inspection and asbestos testing when mobile home installations are demolished.  Pranke Brothers Auto Wrecking did not possess a license to dispose of waste through open burning, and did not test any of the trailers it demolished for asbestos.

"DOJ will continue to work with DNR to enforce air pollution and solid waste disposal laws," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said.

Under the terms of the settlement, Pranke Brothers Auto Wrecking agreed to cease all open burning activities, agreed to notify DNR prior to disposing of mobile homes that may contain asbestos, and agreed to maintain functional fire suppression equipment.  The company also agreed to pay additional forfeitures if it failed to keep these promises.

The settlement was approved by Shawano County Circuit Court Judge Thomas G. Grover.  Assistant Attorney General Diane Milligan represented the state.