3M Settles State Lawsuit Over Air Pollution Violations

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen states that his office has filed a civil complaint and stipulated consent judgment against 3M Company in Crawford County, Wisconsin.   

The civil action alleges that 3M operated in violation of its air pollution permit by modifying a stationary air pollution source without the required construction permit and by failing to carryout the required malfunction prevention and abatement plan in connection with its coiled web maker.  All violations are alleged to have occurred at the Prairie du Chien facility between 2004 and 2009.   

According to the stipulation and order for judgment, the company is currently in compliance with its air pollution permit at that facility.  The company has agreed to pay $150,000 in forfeitures and penalties and complete two supplemental environmental projects valued at $200,000 that are designed to reduce the facility's annual CO2 emissions.  Both projects will be completed by June 30, 2011. 

"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 DNR to ensure that Wisconsin's citizens and natural resources are protected through compliance with the law." 

The order was signed by Crawford County Circuit Court Judge James P. Czajkowski on July 26, 2010. Assistant Attorney General Cynthia R. Hirsch prosecuted the case.