Ruling in NC's pollution lawsuit is weeks away

ASHEVILLE -- It will be weeks before a judge issues a ruling in North Carolina's lawsuit over smokestack emissions from coal-fired power plants operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Thursday that U.S. District Court Judge Lacy Thornburg told lawyers to file their final documents by Sept. 15. A decision would come later.

The 12-day trial ended Wednesday. Thornburg heard the case without a jury.

North Carolina asked that the TVA be required to limit sulfur dioxide and other pollutants that cross into the state from its coal-burning plants in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

TVA witnesses testified the utility works hard to abide by emission regulations and emissions from its plants don't cause health problems.

Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

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