PennEnvironment, a citizen's action group, has filed a lawsuit against a steel company to redress alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
PennEnvironment filed suit against ArcelorMittal Monessen LLC and ArcelorMittal USA LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Oct. 8.
According to the lawsuit, the Monessen coke plant, operated by the defendants along the Monongahela River in Southwestern Pennsylvania, has allegedly emitted hydrogen sulfide gas in excess of eight times the legal limit. Hydrogen sulfide gas is a colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs and is dangerous to children, elderly persons and people suffering from breathing disorders, the suit states, and the harmful gases are allegedly poisoning lakes and streams.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants failed to properly operate its desulferization plant and withheld numerous adverse internal emission tests.
PennEnvironment is seeking for the court to declare that the defendants have violated the Clean Air Act and order them to comply, a penalty of up to $37,500 per day for each violation of the act, and court costs and attorney's fees. The plaintiff is represented by Thomas J. Ferrell of Ferrell & Resinger LLC of Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 2:15-cv-01314-CRE