ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
July 3, 1990
PEOPLE OF THE STATE
OF ILLINOIS,
Complainant,
v.
)
PCB 90-87
(Enforcement)
JERNBERG INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a Delaware corporation,
Respondent.
DISSENTING OPINION (by J. Theodore Meyer):
I dissent from the majority’s acceptance of the settlement
stipulation in this case.
Neither the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Agency)
nor the Attorney General have articulated any standards as to what
factors should be considered when negotiating a fine to be imposed
pursuant to a settlement agreement. Additionally, although the
proposed settlement agreement states that Jernberg’s noncompliance
was economically beneficial in that it operated its unpermitted
equipment without the delay of applying to and waiting for the
Agency to issue permits, there is not any specific information on
the amount of that economic benefit. Section 33(c) of the
Environmental Protection Act specifically requires the Board to
consider any economic benefits accrued by noncompliance. I believe
that this provision contemplates a consideration of the amount of
the economic benefit, not just a statement that that an economic
benefit was realized. Without more specific information, it is
impossible to know if the penalty of $4,500 even comes close to any
savings realized by Jernberg.
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
Jernberg. Ill.Rev.Stat.l989, ch. ill 1/2, par. 1042(f). I am
pleased that the Attorney General is beginning to bring enforcement
cases in the name of the People, but I believe that settlement
agreements in such cases should, at a minimum, recognize that the
Board could award costs and reasonable fees.
113_SO
2
For these reasons, I dissent.
J. Theodore Meyer
Board Member
I, Dorothy N. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
Board, hereby certify that the above D:ssenting Opinion was filed
on the
_______
day of
_____
__________
1990.
Do~ hy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Boarc
11 3~O1)