By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Two environmental organizations are threatening to file a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over proposed permits for a St. Louis area waste incinerator.
The Sierra Club and American Bottom Conservancy petitioned the agency last year to deny both federal and state permits for the Onyx Waste Incinerator in Sauget, Illinois.
Kathy Andria with the Conservancy says the EPA never responded. Thursday the groups sent a letter notifying the agency it has 60 days to respond or they'll file suit.
"We wish it didn't come to that. We think that the EPA should do their job and we don't think they have done their job in this case," Andria said.
In the letter, the groups ask the EPA to deny Onyx permits for the incinerator citing a long history of violations and health concerns for nearby residents.
A spokesman for the EPA says the agency must review the letter before commenting.