Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Announces Judgment Requiring Milwaukee County Company to Pay $81,000 for Air Pollution Violations

MADISON — Mid-America Steel Drum Co., Inc., which owns and operates a drum reclamation facility in Oak Creek, will pay $81,000 for violations of Wisconsin's air pollution laws in 2008.

Under Wisconsin law, Mid-America Steel Drum Co., Inc. is required to obtain and follow construction and operation permits that control the emissions of air contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the facility.

"It is important that businesses manage their operations to ensure compliance with permit requirements designed to protect the public from harmful air emissions," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said. "The Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with the DNR to ensure Wisconsin's citizens and natural resources are protected through compliance.”

According to the complaint, Mid-America Steel Drum Co., Inc. operated in violation of state air pollution statutes and its permits by exceeding the emission limitation on the VOC content of the coatings that it applies to the exterior and interior surfaces of the drums, resulting in approximately 500 pounds of excess VOC emissions from July to October 2008, and by operating without a permit after failing to submit a timely operation permit renewal application, also in 2008.

Assistant Attorney General JoAnne F. Kloppenburg prosecuted the case.

Copies of the Judgment and the Stipulation and Order for Judgment are available at the following links: