Environmental and public interest groups filed suit yesterday, Dec. 26th, against Alcoa Inc., the world's biggest aluminum producer, alleging violations of the Clean Air Act by the company's smelter in Rockdale, Texas.
The suit, filed in federal district court in Austin, Texas, alleges that Alcoa reconstructed boilers that power the smelter in the mid-1980s but did not install modern equipment to reduce air pollution as required under the Clean Air Act.
Alcoa said the lawsuit is unnecessary because the company made a voluntary filing with state regulators in July, pledging to make deep cuts in air pollution caused by the smelter.
Alcoa says the work on the boilers did not amount to a "major modification" and that therefore it was not required to install new pollution controls at the time. The matter is currently being reviewed by both state and federal regulators.
The suit, filed by Environmental Defense, Public Citizen and Neighbors for Neighbors alleges that the work resulted in a significant increase in emissions of harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and solid particles.
The three groups are asking the court to fine Alcoa $27,500 per day and order the company to install modern equipment to reduce pollution if their allegations are upheld.