ELR Citation: ELR 20131
No(s). 84-C-886 (E.D. Wis. Oct 17, 1984)

The court holds that a pending application for state approval of an alternative compliance plan does not require a court to abstain from hearing an action brought by the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the existing requirements of the state implementation plan (SIP). The Clean Air Act expressly provides for overlapping state and federal enforcement of SIPs. The court also rules that the case is of the type in which Congress intended to authorize federal enforcement; there is a violation of the current, federally approved SIP and the state has moved slowly in considering the alternative compliance plan.

Counsel for Plaintiff
F. Henry Habicht II, Ass't Attorney General, Mary Ellen Leachy
Land and Natural Resources Division
Department of Justice, Washington DC 20350
(202) 633-2701

Joseph P. Stadtmueller, U.S. Attorney
330 Federal Building
517 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee WI 53202
(414) 291-3372

Anne Swofford
Environmental Protection Agency, Region V
230 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL 60604
(312) 353-2094

Counsel for Defendant
Allen W. Williams Jr., Mark A. Thimke
Foley & Lardner
First Wisconsin Center
777 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee WI 53202
(414) 271-2400