"Iowa High Court Reinstates Major Pollution Lawsuit"

"IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a major environmental case, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday that residents can bring a nuisance lawsuit against a Muscatine manufacturer accused of routinely blanketing their properties with soot and chemicals.

The court reinstated the class-action lawsuit against Grain Processing Corp., which operates a plant that turns corn kernels into products ranging from corn syrup to ethyl alcohol. The plaintiffs' claims of nuisance, negligence and trespass are not barred by the federal Clean Air Act or state rules governing air emissions, Justice Brent Appel wrote in a 6-0 decision that was applauded by environmentalists but criticized by business interests.

A regional economic force, the company buys $400 million in corn from farmers annually and is one of the area's largest employers."

Ryan J. Foley reports for the Associated Press June 13, 2014.