Wells Manufacturing Co. v. Environmental Protection Agency

Wells Manufacturing Company appeals directly to this court from an order of the Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board) affirming the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (Agency’s) denial of Wells’ application to renew its air operating permit. Wells operates an iron castings business (foundry) in an area of Skokie zoned for heavy industrial use. The location is approximately one-half mile from a Morton Grove residential area. The foundry was built in 1947, years before residences were constructed in the area.

One of Wells’ processes involves a shell molding operation in which a fine…