ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
April 9, 1992
PEOPLE OF THE STATE
)
OF ILLINOIS,
)
Complainant,
)
v.
)
PCB 92—24
(Enforcement)
MODINE M~NUFACTtTRINGCOMPANY,
a Wisconsin corporation,
)
)
Respondent.
DISSENTING OPINION (by J. Theodore Meyer):
I dissent from the majority’s acceptance of the settlement
stipulation in this case.
Section 42(h)(3) of the Environmental Protection Act
specifically requires the Board to consider any economic benefits
accrued by noncompliance. However, the stipulation contains
conflicting statements on this i~su~. The stipulation states:
Modine’s noncompliance with pollution control
requirements was economically beneficial in that it
utilized its unpermitted equipment without incurring
the financial obligation associated with emission
controls. Respondent asserts that no economic benefits
were obtained by any alleged noncompliance on its part.
(Stipulation at 15.)
Not only do these statements conflict as to whether there was any
economic benefit, but there is no specific information on the
amount of any economic benefit. I believe that the Act
contemplates a consideration of the complete amount of the
economic benefit. For example, what costs were avoided by being
able to operate the equipment without waiting until the permits
were applied for and obtained? Without more specific
information, it is impossible to know if the penalty of $20,000
comes close to any savings realized by respondent.
Finally, I am frustrated that, although this case was
brought in the name of the people of the State of Illinois, there
is no recognition that costs and fees could have been assessed
against respondent. (Ill.Rev.Stat.l989, ch. 111 1/2, par.
1042(f).) I am pleased that the Attorney General is bringing
enforcement cases in the name of the People, but I believe that
settlement agreements in such cases should, at an absolute
minimum, recognize that the Board could award costs and
reasonable fees.
132—133
2
For these reasons, I dissent.
3.
~heo~e
~e~&i~
Bo d Member
I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
Board, hereby certify that he above dissenting opinion was filed
on the
~
day of
______________,
1992.
~
Dorothy M./4lnn, Clerk
Illinois Po’illution Contro1~Board
132—
134