On December 30, 2010, the United States filed a Complaint against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in the United State District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The United States sought injunctive relief and civil penalties against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and Department of General Services ("the Commonwealth") for claims arising under the Clean Air Act in connection with the operation of four state correctional facilities located in Muncy, Bellefonte (Rockview), Somerset, and Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

The same day, the parties filed a proposed Consent Decree under which the Commonwealth agreed to control particulate matter emissions at the facilities by either shutting down coal-fired boilers, installing air emission controls, or converting the coal-fired boilers to natural gas-fired boilers. The Commonwealth was assessed a civil penalty of $300,000 for past violations and stipulated to penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per day in the event of future violations.

The district court approved the consent decree on March 10, 2011.

Denise Heberle - 01/07/2011


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