UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA

Transcription

1 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 1 of 10 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA ) National Parks Conservation Association, ) Minnesota Center for Environmental ) Advocacy, Friends of the Boundary Waters, ) Voyageurs National Park Association, ) Civil No.: (RHK/JSM) Fresh Energy, and Sierra Club, ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) ) United States Environmental Protection ) Agency, and Gina McCarthy in her official ) capacity as EPA Administrator, ) ) Defendants. ) ) CONSENT DECREE This Consent Decree is entered into by Plaintiffs National Parks Conservation Association, ( Plaintiffs ), and by Defendant United States Environmental Protection Agency and Gina McCarthy, in her official capacity as Administrator of EPA (collectively EPA or the Administrator ). WHEREAS, on October 21, 2009, the Department of Interior certified to EPA that air pollutant emissions from Xcel Energy s coal-fired Sherburne County Generating Station ( Sherco ) were reasonably attributable to visibility impairment in Minnesota s Voyageurs National Park, and Michigan s Isle Royale National Park; WHEREAS, on December 5, 2012, Plaintiffs filed their complaint in this action alleging that the Administrator had failed to perform her mandatory duty to promulgate a federal reasonably attributable visibility impairment best available retrofit technology ( RAVI BART )

2 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 2 of 10 determination for Sherco without unreasonable delay since the Department of the Interior s October 21, 2009 certification; WHEREAS, on February 1, 2013, Defendants filed their answer in this action denying that the Administrator has a mandatory duty to promulgate RAVI BART for Sherco in response to the Department of the Interior s October 21, 2009 certification because EPA has not determined that visibility impairment at one or more Class I areas is reasonably attributable to emissions from Sherco. WHEREAS, Plaintiffs and EPA (collectively, the Parties ) wish to effectuate a settlement of the above-captioned case without expensive and protracted litigation, and without a litigated resolution of any issue of law or fact; WHEREAS, the Parties consider this Consent Decree to be an adequate and equitable resolution of the claims in the above-captioned case and consent to entry of this Consent Decree; and WHEREAS, the Court, by entering this Consent Decree, finds that this Consent Decree is fair, reasonable, in the public interest, and consistent with the Clean Air Act ( CAA ), 42 U.S.C et seq. NOW THEREFORE, before the taking of testimony, without trial or determination of any issue of fact or law, and upon the consent of the Parties, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that: 1. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over the claims set forth in the Complaint and to order the relief contained in this Consent Decree. 2. Venue is proper in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. -2-

3 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 3 of Plaintiffs and Defendants shall not challenge in Court the terms of this Consent Decree or the Court s jurisdiction to enter and enforce this Consent Decree. This Consent Decree constitutes a complete and final resolution of all claims asserted in the Complaint. 4. This Consent Decree shall become effective upon the date of its entry by the Court. If for any reason the Court does not enter this Consent Decree, the obligations set forth in this Consent Decree are null and void. 5. EPA agrees that source-specific emission limitations representing Best Available Retrofit Technology ( BART ) for the Sherco facility will satisfy the requirements of 40 C.F.R (c)(4)(iii) and (iv) ( BART for Sherco ). 6. EPA shall sign a notice of final rulemaking action on or before August 31, 2015, in which it determines under 40 C.F.R (c)(4)(i) whether visibility impairment in Voyageurs National Park and Isle Royale National Park is reasonably attributable to Sherco. If EPA determines that visibility impairment in Voyageurs National Park or Isle Royale National Park is reasonably attributable to Sherco, then EPA s final rulemaking shall also include EPA s final determination of BART for Sherco. If, however, EPA determines that visibility impairment in neither Voyageurs National Park or Isle Royale National Park is reasonably attributable to Sherco, then BART for Sherco is not required. 7. The Parties agree that if, on or before August 31, 2015, EPA signs a notice of final rulemaking action in which it either approves a State Implementation Plan ( SIP ) or promulgates a Federal Implementation Plan ( FIP ) under 40 C.F.R ( Regional Haze Rule ) that includes a final determination of BART for Sherco, then -3-

4 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 4 of 10 EPA s obligation to sign a notice of final rulemaking action as described under Paragraph 6 shall be null and void. 8. EPA shall sign a notice of proposed rulemaking action on or before February 27, 2015, for the final actions(s) described in Paragraph 6 (and 7) above. 9. The Parties agree that, if EPA signs a notice of final rulemaking action in either the manner described in Paragraph 6 or Paragraph 7, then any duty EPA may have under 42 U.S.C to act in response to the Department of Interior s October 21, 2009 certification letter will be satisfied. 10. The deadline in Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 may be extended for a period of 60 days or less by written stipulation executed by counsel for EPA and Plaintiffs and filed with the Court. Any other extension of a deadline in Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 may be approved by the Court upon motion made pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by EPA and upon consideration of any response by Plaintiffs and reply by EPA. 11. If this Consent Decree is not entered until after any specific deadline for EPA action set forth herein, then the deadline for EPA action shall be 30 days after entry of this Consent Decree with respect to such deadline. 12. Plaintiffs and EPA have resolved any claim Plaintiffs have for their costs of litigation (including attorneys fees) incurred in this matter up to and including the date this Consent Decree is lodged with the Court. Plaintiffs reserve their right to enforce such agreement, and to seek litigation costs for any work performed after the lodging of this Consent Decree. EPA does not concede that Plaintiffs will be entitled to fees for any work performed after the lodging of the Consent Decree, and the parties reserve all claims and defenses with respect to any future costs of litigation claim. -4-

5 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 5 of No later than fifteen (15) business days following signature by the Administrator or his delegatee of the notice of any final rulemaking referenced above, EPA shall deliver the notice to the Office of the Federal Register for review and publication. Following such delivery to the Office of the Federal Register, EPA shall not take any action (other than is necessary to correct any typographical errors or other errors in form) to delay or otherwise interfere with publication of such notice in the Federal Register. EPA shall make available to Plaintiffs copies of the notices referenced herein within five business days following signature by the Administrator or his delegatee. 14. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall be construed to limit or modify any discretion accorded EPA by the CAA or by general principles of administrative law in taking the actions which are the subject of this Consent Decree, including the discretion to alter, amend, or revise any responses or final actions contemplated by this Consent Decree. EPA s obligation to perform the actions specified by Paragraphs 6 and 7 does not constitute a limitation or modification of EPA s discretion within the meaning of this Paragraph. 15. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall be construed as an admission of any issue of fact or law or to waive or limit any claim or defense, on any grounds, related to any final action EPA may take pursuant to this Consent Decree. 16. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall be construed to confer upon the district court jurisdiction to review any final decision made by EPA pursuant to this Consent Decree. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall be construed to confer upon the district court jurisdiction to review any issues that are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the -5-

6 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 6 of 10 United States Court of Appeals pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 7607(b)(1) and 7661d. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall be construed to waive any remedies or defenses the Parties may have under 42 U.S.C. 7607(b)(1). 17. The Parties recognize and acknowledge that the obligations imposed upon EPA under this Consent Decree can only be undertaken using appropriated funds legally available for such purpose. No provision of this Consent Decree shall be interpreted as or constitute a commitment or requirement that EPA obligate or pay funds in contravention of the Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341, or any other applicable provision of law. 18. If a lapse in EPA s appropriations occurs within one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the deadline in Paragraphs 6, 7 or 8 in this Decree, that deadline shall be extended automatically one day for each day of delay caused by the lapse in appropriations. If EPA determines that additional time is needed due to a lapse in appropriations, nothing in this paragraph shall preclude EPA from seeking an additional extension, either by stipulation or court order, pursuant to the procedures of Paragraph Any notices required or provided for by this Consent Decree shall be made in writing and sent via to the following: For Plaintiffs: Kevin Reuther kreuther@mncenter.org Reed Zars rzars@lariat.org -6-

7 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 7 of 10 For EPA: Matthew Marks marks.matthew@epa.gov David A. Carson david.a.carson@usdoj.gov 20. In the event of a dispute among the Parties concerning the interpretation or implementation of any aspect of this Consent Decree, the disputing Party shall provide the other Party with a written notice outlining the nature of the dispute and requesting informal negotiations. If the Parties cannot reach an agreed-upon resolution, any Party may move the Court to resolve the dispute. 21. No motion or other proceeding seeking to enforce this Consent Decree or for contempt of court shall be properly filed unless the Party seeking to enforce this Consent Decree has followed the procedure set forth in Paragraph The Court shall retain jurisdiction to determine and effectuate compliance with this Consent Decree, to resolve any disputes thereunder, and to consider any future requests for costs of litigation (including reasonable attorneys fees). After EPA s obligations under this Consent Decree have been completed, EPA may move to have this Consent Decree terminated. Plaintiffs shall have 14 days in which to respond to such motion. 23. The Parties agree and acknowledge that before this Consent Decree can be finalized and entered by the Court, EPA must provide notice in the Federal Register and an opportunity for comment pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 7413(g). EPA will deliver a public notice of this Consent Decree to the Federal Register for publication and public comment within fifteen (15) business days after lodging this Consent Decree with the Court. After this Consent Decree has undergone an opportunity for notice and comment, EPA s Administrator and the Attorney General, as appropriate, will -7-

8 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 8 of 10 promptly consider any such written comments in determining whether to withdraw or withhold consent to this Consent Decree, in accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act. If the Administrator or the Attorney General elects not to withdraw or withhold consent to this Consent Decree, EPA will promptly file a motion that requests the Court to enter this Consent Decree and Plaintiffs will not oppose the motion. If EPA has not moved for entry of this Consent Decree within 120 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register, the Parties shall confer as to EPA s anticipated timeframe for moving to enter the Decree. If the parties are unable to agree as to the reasonableness of EPA s anticipated timeframe for moving to enter the Decree after such consultation, or if EPA or the Attorney General withdraw or withhold consent to this Consent Decree, any party may file dispositive motions in this matter. In the event the Plaintiff(s) file a dispositive motion referred to in this Paragraph, the Plaintiff(s) shall withdraw such filed motion promptly after EPA files a motion to enter this Consent Decree. 24. It is hereby expressly understood and agreed that this Consent Decree was jointly drafted by the Parties and that any and all rules of construction to the effect that ambiguity is construed against the drafting party shall be inapplicable in any dispute concerning the terms, meaning, or interpretation of this Consent Decree. 25. The undersigned certify that they are fully authorized by the Party or Parties they -8-

9 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 9 of 10 represent to bind that Party or those Parties to the terms of this Consent Decree. SO ORDERED this day of 20. HON. RICHARD H. KYLE United States District Judge SO AGREED: For Plaintiffs National Parks Conservation Association and Sierra Club /s/ REED ZARS Attorney at Law 910 Kearney Street Laramie, WY (307) rzars@lariat.org Dated: 6/24/2014 For Plaintiffs Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Voyagers National Park Association, and Fresh Energy /s/ KEVIN REUTHER Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy 26 E. Exchange St., Suite 206 St. Paul, MN (651) kreuther@mncenter.org Dated: 6/24/

10 CASE 0:12-cv RHK-JSM Document 47-1 Filed 06/24/14 Page 10 of 10 FOR DEFENDANTS SAM HIRSCH Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. Carson United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division th Street South Terrace - Suite 370 Denver, CO (303) david.a.carson@usdoj.gov Dated: 6/24/