Biggest U.S. Power Generator Goes on Trial

Nation's Biggest Power Generator Goes on Trial, Accused of Breaking Pollution Laws

COLUMBUS, Ohio Jul 6, 2005 — The nation's biggest power generator broke clean air rules by failing to cut emissions at plants in four states that foul the air in the Northeast and harm health, a federal lawyer argued Wednesday.
The case against Columbus-based American Electric Power is the biggest among several filed in the waning days of the Clinton administration against utilities in the Midwest and South.The government and eight states say AEP broke the law when it made major modifications to nine coal-burning plants without installing equipment that would have cut pollution drastically.