Manitowoc Company Settles State Lawsuit Over Environmental Violations For $95,000

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that his office has filed a stipulated settlement of a civil complaint in Manitowoc County against Tower Tech Systems, Inc.  Tower Tech builds utility scale wind towers and operates a metal fabrication operation in the City of Manitowoc.  The civil complaint alleges that Tower Tech began construction and operated a stationary source of air pollution through its manufacturing process without applying for an air pollution permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Tower Tech, which is now fully compliant with Wisconsin's air pollution laws, has agreed to pay $95,000 in forfeitures and penalties for these violations which took place in 2006 and 2007.  In addition, the company has agreed to voluntarily install new paint booths that are able to use paints that emit no or little volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at an approximate expense of $80,000.  This effort will greatly reduce its air emissions in the future.

"Wisconsin law requires that industrial facilities comply with permits designed to protect the public from harmful air emissions," said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "The Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with the Department of Natural Resources to ensure that Wisconsin's citizens and natural resources are protected through compliance with the law."

Assistant Attorney General Cynthia R. Hirsch prosecuted the case.  The settlement was approved by Manitowoc County Circuit Court Judge Darryl Deets.