Sierra Club Plans Lawsuit Against Utility Over Coal Ash Incident Near Milwaukee

摘要

The Sierra Club has filed a notice of in tent to file a civil action against Wisconsin Energy Corp., alleging violations of federal environmental statutes resulting from the collapse of a bluff containing coal ash that sent approximately 2,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil into Lake Michigan. In a letter dated Nov. 8, the Sierra Club alleged viola tions under the Clean Water Act and the Resource Con servation and Recovery Act based on the company's im proper management of a coal ash impoundment facility at the Oak Creek Power Plant south of Milwaukee. The letter asserts the utility's negligence resulted in an Oct. 31 incident in which a bluff built on layers of coal ash and dirt collapsed and discharged contami nants into the lake (42 ER 2473, 11/4/11). The lawsuit is planned against Wisconsin Energy Corp. and several related companies collectively known as We Energies.