Dairyland Power Cooperative has reached a joint settlement agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Sierra Club bringing an end to a civil suit alleging violations of the Clean Air Act related to emissions at its coal-fired plants in Alma and Genoa, Wisconsin.
                  
Dairyland admits no violations of the law, and all claims against Dairyland based on facility modifications prior to the settlement are  dropped.  The Sierra Club filed a civil lawsuit against Dairyland in June of 2010 and the EPA issued a notice of violation with similar allegations.
                  
Prior to the filings, Dairyland was already in the midst of a $400 million plan to further reduce air emissions at its generating facilities.  Under the settlement, Dairyland will invest $5 million over a five year period in a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and public land improvement projects.
                 
The terms of the settlement also include a $950,000 penalty.  Dairyland officials maintain that civil penalty is inappropriate.