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Million-Dollar Decision Stinks for Environmental Officials

Friday, Mar 5, 2010 | Updated 7:01 PM EST

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After locals complained of a stench, a wool factory got the blame.

A Bethlehem wool plant operator was awarded 6.5 million in damages after a federal court found that actions by the Environmental Protection Department made it impossible for MFS Inc. to conduct business.

The Environmental Protection Department denied permits to the plant after locals complained that a stinky odor was a public nuisance.

The plant owner and operator accused the department of improper regulatory conduct when they couldn’t prove that the plant was the culprit of the smell but still denied the permits.

Jurors sided with the plant owner and awarded the damages in a decision filed Thursday in Philadelphia federal court. The department spokesman, Neil Weaver, said in a statement that the agency disagrees with the finding and intends to appeal.