For More Information Contact:
Kelly Kennedy
608/266-7876
MADISON – Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced today that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has settled an air pollution enforcement lawsuit in Price County Circuit Court against Georgia-Pacific Corporation over air pollution violations at the company’s Phillips hardboard plant in Price County. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Georgia-Pacific will pay penalties totaling $95,000 for these violations.
According to the complaint, filed with the settlement agreement, a series of tests of the air pollutant emissions from the defendant’s hardboard plant between September of 2003 and August of 2004 indicated that the plant’s particulate matter emissions exceeded the applicable regulatory limits.
In lieu of additional penalties, the company will, by November 1, 2005, replace the existing air pollution control equipment on the wood fiber dryer at its Phillips plant with a new high efficiency cyclone, to reduce the particulate matter emissions to levels below those currently required by law. The company will also implement operating restrictions on another air pollutant source at the plant to reduce the emissions from that process.
“Georgia-Pacific’s agreement to upgrade the air pollution control equipment on its wood fiber dryer will result in cleaner air in Price County,” Lautenschlager said. This will benefit both the company and the citizens of the State.
Assistant Attorney General Shari Eggleson represented the state.
