Keokuk company to pay fine for pollution
Posted: 02.16.2010 at 5:33 PM
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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- A Lee County District Court judge has ordered Roquette America Inc. to pay a $1 million fine for air pollution.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and resolved by the order, the state alleged Roquette's corn wet milling facility in Keokuk had excess emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other compounds.

In the lawsuit, Miller alleged Roquette failed to implement required control technology. He also claimed the company failed to get the proper permit when it made major plant modifications.

The order by Judge Mary Ann Brown prohibits Roquette from further violations and requires the company to build a new feedhouse with more efficient equipment and better air pollution controls.

Roquette manufactures a variety of corn starches, starch derivatives and corn syrup at its Keokuk plant.

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