Attorney General Josh Kaul has announced a settlement with Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services, Inc. for $160,000. The settlement resolves a civil environmental enforcement action regarding alleged air pollution violations related to the operation of a wood-fired boiler in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
According to Attorney General Kaul, "Air pollution control permits help protect clean air by keeping pollution in check. Facilities must comply with their permits."
The state's complaint lists 12 violations concerning a boiler that burns wood waste to produce heat and steam for electricity at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Campus in La Crosse. Allegations include exceeding permit limitations and failing to monitor and notify the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about carbon monoxide emissions from the boiler. Other allegations involve improper calibration, maintenance, operation of an opacity pollution monitoring system, failure to perform required particulate matter emissions testing, failure to submit regular monitoring reports, and failure to maintain records on tune-ups and inspections related to the boiler.
The agreement requires Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services to pay $160,000 in forfeitures, surcharges, and court costs. La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Scott L. Horne signed the Order for Judgment on November 7, 2024.
The Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance approved this resolution on September 26, 2024.
Assistant Attorney General Zachary B. Corrigan represented the state in this matter and collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.