Allegheny Energy, owner of some of the nation's most polluting coal-fired power plants, has been sued by Pennsylvania and four other eastern states for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act.

State Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty today said the lawsuit aims to make the Greensburg-based electricity producer reduce emissions of smog- and acid rain-producing pollutants at three power plants in Pennsylvania and five in West Virginia.

The lawsuit filed today in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh alleges that the company made modifications to the power plants without installing modern pollution controls as required by federal law and without getting state approval for the work.

"We are calling on Allegheny Energy to put in place equipment and operational changes that will enable its plants to perform in a manner that meets the highest standards for environmental protection," McGinty said. "We hope Allegheny Energy will work with us expeditiously to clean up their plants and protect public health."

The Pennsylvania power plants named in the suit are the Hatfield's Ferry plant in Greene County near Masontown; the Armstrong Power plant in Adrian, Armstrong County; and the Mitchell Power Plant in Courtney, Washington County.

Previous investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found Allegheny Energy made major improvements and operational changes at several of its coal-fired power plants. But in 2003, the EPA dropped its investigation of the company and 50 other air pollution investigation cases.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.