(Chicago, Ill. - May 15, 2008) Michigan Sugar, a grower-owned sugar cooperative located in Bay City, Mich., will use pollution reduction measures valued at more than $13 million at its processing facility to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department announced today. Along with the pollution reduction measures, Michigan Sugar will also pay a $210,000 civil penalty.

On this page:

• Company
• Emissions Reductions
• Injunctive Relief
• Environmental Benefits
• Penalty
• Supplemental Environmental Projects
• State Partner

Company

• Michigan Sugar is located in Bay City, Michigan. The Company dries and processes beets to make sugar and is the third largest sugar beet processor in the US, and the largest east of the Mississippi River. The sugar is sold under the brand names of Pioneer Sugar and Big Chief Sugar.

Emissions Reductions

• The pollution reductions from this settlement are estimated to be 446 tons per year of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Injunctive Relief

• The injunctive relief associated with the installation of a new steam dryer is valued at more than $13 million. The new steam dryer will reduce emissions to nearly zero.

Environmental Benefits

• Reducing VOCs is important because VOCs play a major role in the atmospheric reactions which produce ozone or smog. People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active can be affected when ozone levels are unhealthy. Ground-level ozone exposure is linked to a variety of short-term health problems, including lung irritation and difficulty breathing, as well as long-term problems, such as permanent lung damage from repeated exposure, aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity, and an increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

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Penalty

• $210,000

Supplemental Environmental Projects

• None

State Partner

• None