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AG Kaul Announces $160,000 Settlement with Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services for Alleged Air Pollution Violations

Umito November 13, 2024

MADISON, Wis. (PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE) – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced a $160,000 settlement with Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services, Inc. The settlement resolves a civil environmental action against the company for alleged violations of its air pollution control permit. and state air pollution control regulations for the company’s operation of a wood-fired boiler in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

“Air pollution control permits help protect clean air by controlling pollution,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Facilities must comply with their permits.”

The state’s complaint alleges 12 total violations related to a boiler that primarily burns wood waste to produce heat and steam to generate electricity for buildings at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Campus in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Four violations allege the company exceeded its permit limits or failed to monitor and notify the DNR of carbon monoxide emissions from the boiler. Three violations allege the company failed to properly calibrate, maintain and operate; correctly calculate emissions; or maintain records for an opacity pollution monitoring system. One violation alleges the company failed to perform required particulate emissions testing. Two violations allege the company failed to submit regular monitoring reports, and two violations allege the company failed to maintain records of tune-ups and inspections related to the wood boiler.

The proposed agreement requires the company to pay a total of $160,000 in forfeitures, surcharges and court costs. The judgment order was signed by La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Scott L. Horne on November 7, 2024.

The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee approved the proposed resolution on September 26, 2024.

Assistant Attorney General Zachary B. Corrigan represented the State and worked closely with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to achieve this result.

Find the press release, the complaint and the judgment of the Wisconsin DOJ website.