MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen obtained a judgment against Hutchinson Technology in Eau Claire on Tuesday over allegations that it violated the state's air pollution laws as well as its air pollution permit.
The Eau Claire County Circuit Court ordered the computer unit manufacturer to pay $95,000 in forfeitures and court costs to the State.
Hutchinson Technology allegedly went over its volatile organic compound (VOC) limit for six days during the ozone season in 2011 and 2012. Excessive VOCs are harmful to humans and the environment, Van Hollen said.
The company also allegedly failed to track the use of its thermal oxidizer for 306 days. The thermal oxidizer destroys harmful VOCs, Van Hollen said.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also alleged that Hutchinson Technology failed to collect data for its wet scrubber for six months in 2012, and did not maintain a current and complete malfunction prevention and abatement plan.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies these as High Priority Violations. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lists Hutchinson Technology as one of the state's largest air pollution sources.
The company is taking steps to rectify the violations, Van Hollen said.