RALEIGH (AP) ó An environmental group has told Alcoa Inc. it intends to sue the company for what the group says are excessive discharges of cyanide and PCBs into a North Carolina lake.
An attorney for the Yadkin Riverkeeper last week sent Alcoa notice that the group intends to file a lawsuit in 60 days unless the alleged pollution at Badin Lake is addressed.
Environmental groups must give companies 60 days notice before filing lawsuits for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources cited Alcoaís now-closed aluminum smelting operation in Badin last May and in 2003 for discharging cyanide into nearby waterways.
Alcoa spokesman Mike Belwood said the company has rarely exceeded its state permit allowing limited discharges of industrial chemicals.