WILLIAMSON COUNTY — Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit against a Southern Illinois coal mine.

The Attorney General’s office announced the lawsuit Tuesday against Williamson Energy LLC, the owner of the Pond Creek coal mine, for violations of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the federal Clean Water Act.

The suit alleges that Williamson Energy has violated permit limits dozens of times, failed to report bypasses, caused numerous violations of water quality standards, and failed to comply with good mining practices.

Williamson, a subsidiary of Foresight Energy, faces civil penalties of $50,000 for each violation.

The Pond Creek Coal Mine where the violations are alleged to have occurred is located four miles east of Johnston City.