NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For More Information Contact:
Brian Rieselman 608/266-7876
MADISON – Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced today that her
office has filed a civil complaint in Columbia County against Alliant Energy
and Wisconsin Power and Light for violating the terms of the wastewater
discharge permit for the Columbia Generating Station located south of
Portage in Columbia County.
Alliant Energy owns Wisconsin Power & Light, which operates the Columbia
Generating Station. The generating station discharges domestic wastewater
into a wetland adjacent to the Wisconsin River, and discharges industrial
wastewater into a drainage ditch that ultimately flows into the Wisconsin
River. According to the Department of Justice’s complaint, the defendants
allegedly violated state water pollution laws by:
* From 2000 through May of 2003, exceeding effluent limitations for
biological oxygen demand a total of 51 times;
* ·
* From 2000 through May of 2003, exceeding effluent limitations for
total suspended solids a total of 11 times;
* ·
* Failing to pass the whole effluent toxicity test for its industrial
wastewater twice in 2001 and three times in 2002; and
* ·
* Failing to comply with schedule that required the facility to
achieve compliance with the whole effluent toxicity limitations by June 30,
2001.
“Wisconsin citizens have the right to expect electric utilities to comply
with our water pollution laws, violations of which can threaten the health
and safety of our communities, our clean water and animal habitat,” said
Lautenschlager.
The complaint asks the court for an order requiring Alliant Energy and
Wisconsin Power and Light to fully comply with the wastewater discharge
permit that governs the Columbia Generating Station, and forfeitures for the
violations. Wisconsin law provides for forfeitures of up to $10,000 for
each violation.
The Department of Justice brought the case at the request of the DNR.
Assistant Attorney General Lorraine Stoltzfus is representing the state.