Coal Concerns Vex Oak Creek Neighbors Near We Energies Plant

OAK CREEK, WI — Police in Oak Creek responded to homes in the area of the WE Energies power plant multiple times over the last week over neighborhood concerns stemming from the utility's coal pile. In one report, a neighbor called police after they found coal dust covering their yard and vehicles. In another instance, late-night coal pushers were making enough noise that neighbors called the police on them.

In one incident, Oak Creek police responded to a home on the 4300 block of E. Studio Lane just before 9 a.m. on March 5 on a report of a civil matter. When police arrived, the homeowner told police that there was coal from the WE Energies power plant in his yard. Officers who spoke with the homeowner were informed that this was an ongoing issue with WE Energies.

The homeowners stated that there was coal dust in their yard and on their vehicles, as the coal pile is only 1,800 feet away from the residence. On March 5, there was a strong east wind which could have led to the coal deposits appearing on their property. Oak Creek police told the homeowners to contact WE Energies officials.

On March 3, police were called to a residence on the 11000 block of S. Chicago Rd. just after 11 p.m. on a report of a noise complaint.

According to police reports, a person contacted police saying that WE Energies was still running their coal pusher after 11 p.m. and that it was making a lot of noise. An officer spoke with a security guard at the front gate of the plant, who said that the same person stopped and spoke with him at the guard shack.

The man at the guard shack told police he forwarded the man's complaint to the on-duty supervisor at the power plant. When police responded to the man's neighborhood, the noise had already stopped.

Patch File Photo By Scott Anderson