A Chicago court ruled that Trump Tower violated environmental laws by polluting the Chicago River without permits and killing thousands of fish through its HVAC system.
Miranda Willson reports for E&E News.
In short:
- A Cook County judge determined that Trump Tower's HVAC system sucked fish into its cooling system, likely killing thousands since 2008.
- The building was found guilty of polluting the Chicago River by releasing heated water and misreporting discharge levels.
- Environmental groups expressed frustration, stating that efforts to restore the river’s ecosystem have been undermined by these actions.
Key quote:
“Frankly, it’s kind of aggravating to be stocking fish into the river while Trump Tower is sucking them out.”
— Albert Ettinger, attorney for Friends of the Chicago River
Why this matters:
The ruling highlights ongoing concerns about corporate environmental violations and their long-term impacts on fragile ecosystems. Holding large buildings accountable for damaging practices is key to restoring and protecting urban waterways.
