HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) — A federal judge in Kalamazoo says he's consolidating two lawsuits into one trial over the operation of a coal-fired power plant in Holland.
The Sierra Club claims Holland's Board of Public Works made major modifications to the De Young power plant without taking the opportunity to install the best technology to reduce emissions. Environmentalists say the city violated federal law. Holland denies it.
Attempts to settle the litigation with the help of mediation have failed.
Judge Paul Maloney wants more input from lawyers before setting a trial date. If the Sierra Club prevails at trial, a separate trial could be held to determine a remedy.
Holland is planning to build a power plant that runs on natural gas and reduces the city's need for coal.