PFAS Advisory Sign, January 4, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) – Progress is being made towards a settlement in a lawsuit between the state and Tyco Fire Products regarding PFAS pollution in Marinette County, according to court filing.
In March 2022, the state Department of Justice filed the civil lawsuit, alleging Johnson Controls and Tyco Fire Products violated the state’s hazardous substance spills law. According to the complaint, the companies failed to notify the DNR of a PFAS discharge. It also states they failed to clean up contamination at and around the Fire Technology Center in Marinette. Tyco has denied these allegations.
In November, the parties told Brown County Judge Tammy Jo Hock that the parties were close to finalizing the case, short of going to trial. Three status conferences were held in recent months, but with no deal ready.
Another such hearing was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, but was postponed to April 29 after a filing by Assistant Attorney General Kevin Grzebielski.
“The parties are making progress and continue to work diligently to finalize a stipulated judgment to file with the Court, but we need additional time. We jointly propose that the Court postpone the April 1 status conference by three weeks, when we hope to be able to give a more substantive update to the Court of the parties’ progress,” Grzebielski wrote.
According to a March 2025 post, Tyco has spent more than $100 million on a groundwater extraction and treatment systems, removing contaminated soils, and providing clean water to neighbors impacted by groundwater issues.
PFAS are man-made chemicals found in a number of products, including fire-fighting foam. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PFAS can increase cancer risk and can affect growth, learning and women’s fertility.
Comments