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DOJ obtains $95K judgment against Veolia for mercury pollution at Ozaukee facility

DOJ obtains $95K judgment against Veolia for mercury pollution at Ozaukee facility

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The Wisconsin Department of Justice has obtained a $95,000 civil judgment against Veolia ES Technical Solutions for violations of state air-management and hazardous-waste laws.

Attorney General Josh Kaul announced the judgment on Thursday. The pollution allegations resulted from an incident at Veolia’s Ozaukee County facility in 2017.

According to the complaint, Veolia was heating mercury-containing waste as part of a recycling process when a vacuum line connected to an oven kettle became plugged and cracked. The company discovered that about 4.52 pounds of mercury were emitted from the facility over a period of 19 hours, which caused an exceedance of the ambient air quality standard for mercury. The complaint said elevated mercury concentrations in the air were detected as far away as Rhinelander.

Mercury is a persistent, bio-accumulative toxic pollutant that poses a risks to human health and the environment. Health effects include severe neurological disorders in infants and children, and kidney damage.

After the incident, Veolia voluntarily shut down all its retort ovens and made several upgrades to the ovens. The complaint said the upgrades and improvements cost Veolia about $880,000.

The judgment requires Veolia to pay $95,000 for the alleged violations of state air-management and hazardous-waste laws. Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Paul V. Malloy signed the judgment on Tuesday.

Assistant Attorney General Bradley J. Motl represented the state. Because the compromise was reached prior to the commencement of a civil action, requirements of 2017 Wisconsin Act 369 do not apply.

Judgment amount: $95,000

Date of resolution: June 22, 2021

County: Ozaukee

Case name: State of Wisconsin v. Veolia ES Technical Solutions, L.L.C.

Case type: Complex forfeiture

Judge: Paul V. Malloy

Plaintiff’s lawyers: Bradley J. Motl, assistant attorney general

Defendant’s lawyers: James M. Ryan

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