Maron, et al. v. Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, No. 7:2008cv00579 - Document 211 (W.D. Va. 2011)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 6/26/11. (sas)

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ct sogscE u s ol sv sx A aFI y kv T oLEO a A x x IN THE UNI TED STATES DI STR dT COURT O FI THE W ESTERN DI AR STRI f I VI CT F RGI A NI R oanoke D i si vi on SHANA L M ARON,'al, t . / Plb f. , aa# k / VI G I Jt LY TEIr N I I ST.& R NI PO H C N STA TE U I;V . I , A qe nt f nda , ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) JUN 29 221 1 K 4' lA c i N o.7: c 00579 i vi t on 08- v- !l mor 2 andum Opi on e ni l v:H on.Jam es C.Turk !e or Uni ed StatesD i ri Judge ni t st ct Thilm a t r c e be or t Cour on Pl i if S l na L.M a on' a G e r H a s é te on' s f e he t a ntf s a r s nd ta ne ' M o i f 1 Li da e Da ag a De e ton o qui t c m es nd f ndan Vigi i Pol e hni l tt t & S a e t r ra ytc c nsiu e tt Unv ri ;(t r i a'e h' M oint S tAsd teVedd/ o inf rJ d me ta aM atr iest ' gni g c ' to o e i e h r M to o u g n s y' vi ' ) t e o La a d Alen tv M oin f raNe Tra p ru n t Rue 5 ()a d 5 o t Fe ea f w n tr aie to o w il u s a t c ls 0b n 9 f he d rl Rul ofCi/lPr ce .( Nos 1 a 1 . Fo t ha onssae beow,t Plitfs es i o dur) ECF . 96 nd 97) r he z s ttd l he anif' m oto i EI I ,Vi i a Te h' m oton f J m e a a M a t of La i GR AN TED i i n s EN ED rp ni c s i or udg nt ; ter w s n pa' a D E VI i pa ,a V igi a Te h' m oton f a 5 e Tra i G RAN TED . ! nd t ED n rl nd r ni c s i or w il s 1' ualBaclground and ProceduralH it act k s ory Plitf S a a I r n (t ao ' fld s i a an t i r ii Te h o Oco e 7 2 0 alif h n âao 6 r n' ie ut g i s r gna c n t b r , 0 8 M ) i a lgi t t Vigi a re h dicrmi t d agans he a j ot r sm ia l st t d f mal le ng h1 r ni c s i nae i t r n l he i lry iua e e e e o e i vi ai o t Equa Pa Ac (û ',29 U. C.j 206( ,ets q.a t t mplye s n olton f he l y t' EPA' ) S. d) e nd ha Vigi a Tel rtlaed agans he i vi ai o t E1?,29 U. C.j 21 ( () e s q. r ni l eait h i t r n olton f he :t S. 5a)3 , t e M ar br i her EPA sui undert Fai Labor St on oui ht t he r andar hctr esent tve ad i Pr son, ds k epr ai on ovi i 29U. C.j21 b) Upi r c vi l veo t sCo tt f eas o a nde co ant on S. 6( . m e ei ng ea f hi ur o i ec nd me d mpli , J y 24,20(9,M a o a de s x di c i i ton a r t la i l c a m s aga ns V igi a Te h f ul t r n t d e s r m na i nd e a i tt ï l i i t r ni c or -' ' . , . , . v oains' Til Vl,4 U. C.j 00 e 2 . On J l 2, 2 0 ,Plitf Grt Ha so td ilto l te I 2 S. 2 0 --3 f uy , 0 9 anif ea ne p e i o Pl i i' M a on' E PA c l ctve a ton s t nt a nt f r s ole i c i ui. Plitfs EPA cli alge t t Vigi a Te h unusl c acif' am le s ha r ni c j ty ompe ae M aon a ns td r nd s m ia l s ua e f m a te pl es o t ba i oft i g rCe l c pens tng t m a a r t i l ry i t d e l m oye n he s s he r e t r t om by a i he t a e ls ta (h t whc L p yssmial st td mae e .y e fr e u lwo k o j b ,t e e s h n lal ih t a i lry i e l myd e s o q a r n o s h ua n pe f ma zofwhi, rz r d e ls l,e f r a r s ïi lt m1 whih we epe f r e ror nc ch quie qua kil fo q nd e po sbiiy, d e r rom d unde smia wor ng condii . Se ond Am.Compl,, ! 2. Pli if'Til V1 cam r i 1r ki tons' c ' .. t antfs te l li ale t tt sune pa s mec tt essx dici lai Se ndAm.Compl,a !5. lges ha hi qua y che onsiut e s rm lton. co .t M a on' r 1la i clin alege t tVig ni Te h c tucr l r prm a r s e aiton al l s ha r i a c onsr l y e i nded he ,r quie he t ve r e rd r t a hive i o c e mpos i ep xf ma e be hmar orrs tnn la i i sbl or nc nc ks ik e lton, mpos d l r as bl wor e m e ona e k c n iin ( he, n dl idh ri o tn tann o p ru i e .( No.1 5 a 1 ) o dto s n r a d ne e mp ra t r iig p o tl t s ECF i 0 ,t 6 . A j r tilc ml e c di ti Co r o Ap i 1 , 0 1a e d d o Aprl1 2 1 At t y ra o n n e n h s u t n rl 2 2 nd n e n i 4, 01 . t cos oIa1 t e l e,t Cour f he l e ' l he vi enc he t ound a a mat r df 1 w t t Vigi a Te di no s te n a ha r ni ch d t wilul d lrmi aea an tPlitf ErnHobe ga de t rdj d me ta amatro lw f r lf l ic i n t é is an if i t r n nte u g n s y i t fa o e Vigna Te2 o h rEP cam b c u e i wa t b rt11 Thej r rtr e a v r iti r ii h n e A li e a s t s i ar : me . u y eu n d ed c n f vorofM Er o heri' cai a Til V1 r t itc cl m,a r ng he $25, i ba a on n , l m nd te I eala im t wa di PA i r 000 n ck p yt e t eEP a : 10 0i d ma e frt ertlai! cam.Th j r rt r e av r it a md r l A nd ( ,0 n a g s o h eaito k li 6 e u y eu n d e dc i f vo o lîneson herEPA cai s a a di he ba k pay 1 t a ountof$15, na rf a l m , w r ng r c ' 1he m 000. II . ltandardso1R evi l ' ew z, Li dat r D am ages I qui ld Secin 21 b olt FarLa StndadsAc pr ct t ta emplye S halbela e ta 6() 'he i bor a r t ovi , ha n s o r s l ibl s t ln empoyee afced i t a o a l fe l n he mount oft i unpad l ni her i ni mum wa ,or t i unpad ges her i iH ot r had i tat her EPA c ai agai tVigi a Te h outi of t nor a t ye sat t r lm ia i be g nii ed lm ns r ni c sde he m l wo- ar t u o y i t tons pe i butwili t t e - :rperod a l rod, tln he hr e yd a i lowed f wiluldic i i ton Upon fndi t tt r wa no evi nce or lf s rm na i i ng ha he e s de ofwilu ds rmi ton,t 4o twa bot t dimisHot r scam l untmey. lf l ic nai he z ur s md o s s be g' li s i l o ri eo ' pe ai ... nd i a a tona e la - 1aslqui td da es' 29 U. C. ve t m m ns ton a n n ddii l qua moll t i dae mag . ' S. j21 b) -' Po tlt . 4 lAc pr desade e et j2 ': 6( . he ra-o pola t ovi f ns o 5 gl t t oye s lf he mpl r howst t stsa tonolt c tt tt ac o he aifci he our ha he t or o i s.n gi ng r s t s a ton w a i j f t a t the m s o vi i e o uch c i s n ood aih nd ha had r a . bl gr e sma e ounds f rbele ng t thi a torom iso was o ivi ha l c sin not a v ol ton of t Fa r La ai he i bor St nda (s A c of 1 a ll t 938, as a e t, t c t m a i is s m nde he our y, n t ound (i c e i n, a a d no s r to w r lqui t :da a sora r any a o t (ofnott e e t i dae 1 m ge wa d m unt he l o xce d he a ountE cii i s c i 21 oft stte. m pe fed n e ton 6 hi il 29 U. C.' 260. A tLlc ti wihi isdicei t (d lqui td da S. i ra our s t n t srton o l i dae mage t a EPA ny so n pl ntf i t e oyv a t d i g ai if f he mpl r c e n ood f ih a ha r as l bl gr at nd d e e a e ounds f r be ivi is a t o le ng t cs c n o me wi t eEP,.I ;Brn ly ob v Hu h sT tjig I .3 F.d 3 6 3 7( t Ci. o fr d t h h % d ike - u . g e r 3n nc, 6 3 3 , 5 4h r p 1 . 994) M oton l Judgm entas a M at er ofL aw i br t A rlto f rjlg n a a matroflw s o d be g a td i ih r i n lg ly l in o l me t s o d te a h ul rn e f ' e e s o e al t s fiin ezd nir bti f rar ao bej r t h v ftl f r( ep e aln lpat ' F d u fce t i e tay l s o e s na l u y o a e b t o t r v iig ry. e . s d h ' R.Ci.P.5 ()1. -h Co r ma n tweg t e e dz c o a p as te ce ii t o v 0 a( ) 7e u t y o ih h vi n e r p r ie h r dbl y f i wine s i m a ng a Rul 50 de e m i ton,but mus v d t e de e i t lghtm os t s es & ki e t r na i t l he vi nc n he i w t f vor bl b,t non- . i pa t a dr w l gii a e it l nce i is f vor Konk l v Bob a a e he m w ng r y nd a e tm t rf ' s n t a . e e . Ev Fcrl$ I ,1 F. 275,279 ( h Ci.1 ,Ant, s - c ,I v f drf Wigs ans ?l, nc. 6f 3d u 4t r 999) ïu erBus h nc. . . ? n , I ,96 F 2 31 31 ( h Ci.1 .A c tma gan s h motonsonl i,t ewi t nc. 2 d 6, 8 4t r 992) our y r l uc i y f d ng he vi e de m 3 tf vo a f t t pa t oppos ng t m otons t e s bl t i of f c c d dr w vi nce s a r bl) o he r y i he i , r a ona e rer a t oul a onl onec A uson.' r k rv PettCons.Co.I .605'. 11 1 ( hCi.1 . y c cl i ' Qle . ti t , nc, . 2( 28, 30 4t r 979) 7 M oti 1 a N ew Tri on or al Rul 5 a oft zFe r lRulsofCi lPr e ze lovi t tSllne tilma be d 9() h de a e vi oc dl r des ha ka w ra y r g a t d t a(orany oft epa te a o a1orpa toft isz s' A ti co tma s ta i t r ne o 1 ï ri s nd n 1 r he s e . ' ral ur y e sde he vedita or rane tili t vedit ( )i a i tt ce rwegh oft e de e'()i r c nd de w ra f he r c: 1 s gans he la i t he vi nc , 2 s b s d u l fle e d n e o ()wi rs l i amic rike o ij sie Cln v Wa- r a e po . as vie c ; r 3 l e ut n l s a r p f n u tc . ie . lMa t Str sI . 1 F. :9 301 ( h Ci.1 ;Wyat v Ll rçt/ d Oc an Tr p.Co.623 o e nc 44 3d 4, 4t r 998) t , d -/ e : e r z c ans , F.d 8 8 1 ( t Ci.1 8 ) l c nr s t Rue 5 moihsf rj d me ta amatro lw, 2 8 ,. 4h r 9 0 . n o ta t o l 0 t.n o u g n s 91 t fa e Rul 59 a ows t c 1tt we g t e de e a c i e t c e biiy oft wine s . e l he olr o i h he vi nc nd ons j r he r di lt he t s es Ki v McVil ,594.. 301 3l ( hCi.201 ) ng . lan 73d , 4 4t r 0 . 11 1. knal s ysi L i da 7 D am ages qui ed I A'r ni Tec ta t d i good f t a ha r a o lbl gr ds f bei vi is a t f igi a l ce n aih nd d e s a e oun or le ng t c s c or ( t EPA,. daedda sar i o r Se?29U. C.j260,Brnke obu,36 onf med o he i t mage e mpr pe . qui S. . i lyF. a 35 ' To de lnsr t good f ih,Vigi a Tec :t t mee a t ai and s bsa tal 3d t . m k ta e at r ni h t us t d n pl u tni bur n' t s de ' o how t tis f iur t o y t sa ut wa eib r i good f ih or ba ed on s h ha 1 a l e o be he tt e s t ' n e at s uc r as bl poundst ?compe a or dn a s woul be laa r M 6y e ona e r ha ns t y m ge d Ef i. Lhew v.We l,1 F. ls 25 3d 21 ,2 0 (h Ci.1 9. (n e lq oainso te l Brlr'- ? 26 F.d a 3 7 8 ( t 6 2 zh r 9 - itma u tto mitd ; ilE oh, t , ) /y / , 3 t 5 -5 boh hol ng t (i i wihi t tilc ts dic e i t de lq da e da es i i i s tsi d di ha t s t r he ra our' s r ton o ny iui t d mag f t s a ite t tt e noye hasr1tonl oneoft t pr ) '.aû ha he m l r e y he wo ongs. T, û fih'defns rquie a t good at ' e e e r s n o j ci , 7 s b e tv , o d fih M a h w,1 F.da 2! (iigCl nD. yh w, n .v be t n t u j ci e g o at . y e 25 3 t 0 ctn fo Ma e I c ve . Wit,41 F. 658,6t1 ( hCi.1 ) rz 3 2d ;-62 4t r 969). Th e ie e a d c d a tild mo tae t t e CC r t tVigna Te h o j ciey e vd nc d u e t ra e nsrts o h t t ha r ii c be tv l u a t d i goI f ih a ba ed on s h r a o bl gr c e n l a t nd s d uc e s na e ounds t t lquil t d dnm ag w o d be ha i ta e es ul unf i . Thi e de ar ! vi nce d t bls d t t V igi a Te h ha l t and cl a an idi c i i ton C a i he ha r ni c s d ver e r t- s r m na i polci . .ral Tr , a 418. Ant- s rm i ton tai ng l r qui e f a l e pl e i i es 7 i . t idi c i na i r ni r e r d or 1 m oye s n as U ni siy l opm en ' ver t evel . . at 132, 389-90, 483. I se'i i tal sal es, V igi a Tech n tng nii . ari r ni r vi w e a x l bl da a o e ur t ts l resco o e e d v ia e t ns e ha a a i nf nned t tl m a ke 1 d c ule w ih a i o e r t m ons t d t n n- hous c r ns ton a tys t r vi w f nd as xs lre . J 'a 473,478,4S1. Furhe mo e t e om p a i n. t o e e ' r ie aa i s (, t e l u t r r , he Ofi e of1z r lConta t Complmw e c fc $de a lcs i onduced a cvi rght a tofVigi aTe h i 201 t i l s udi r ni c n 0 a f nd ound 1 a none of Uigi a Te h' c m pe ai n pr ciisvi a e f de a lw. I a 460 Nt r ni c s o ns to a t.z olt d e r l a d t d 61. Vi i a Tec s i e i a nua r vi w of t 1 a ke f f a s r s l es a ut ni h' nt nsve n l e e he r r t or undr ie ari nd ma t r l t- s rm i a i n tani a e sr e d nc qttVigi a Te h ma r a ona e ndao y m idic i n to r i ng r tong vi e e ka r ni c de e s bl e f t t c m pl w ih I PA r quie e s z A f de a ci l ' s a tr e l c im e t t f ors o l y t I e r m nt . e r l vi l è ght udi ec nty onfr d ha Vigi a Te. spolce ae co intwih fdea lw. (pj tvey,Vigi a Tec a t i r ni l h' iié r mpla t e rl a beci l r ni h ced n go f ih 1n ba e t zr c od at Ed s d h i ompe a i decsons on s h l a ona e gr ns ton ii uc ' s bl oundst tlq dae e ha i ui td da eswcad beunf i' Ac r ngl Pli if 'm oton f i da e da a wilbede e mag .l aq co di y, antfs . i b!lqui t d m ges l nid. lI Judgm entas a M at er ofLaw . t i EI A D i par e Tre m e C l m s . ' s at at nt ai Un t Rue 5 , z Co r mu tiq iewh t e araln bl j r ,d a n a1fcsa d dr l 0 t e u t s n ur eh r e a a e u y rwig 1 a t n r i e e sf a t e dt e a te a ti l c d ha f -l f t Pli if Eve i t nf r nce l m he vi nc dmitd t ra , oul ve c ' d or he a ntfs. z n f he Co tf e s1 e wei oèt e de e f vor d Vig ni Te l,i t r wa e a m odium of ur e l 4 ght 'he vi nc a e r i a c . f he e s ven c e ie efol wh c ajly c ud a sg l b l y j d me t1; matrof1w i i r p r At vd nc r n ih l o l s in i ii , u g n éa t r a t e a s mp o e. t o s t tI Cour m u i r ie a e as i has hel t oughou : he e pr ce di ,t t Pl i if he ut e , le t t et r t , t d hr t s o e ngs ha a ntf s ha i ee e t bls d a prm a f c e c e of dic i i i# unde t EPA . The pa tes ve nd d s a i he i a i as s r m nat : n r he ri si a e bebr ti lt . Vigi a Te h pai t e smia l st t d mal c pa a or mor tpult d e ra h: r ni c t d hr e i l r; iua e e om r t s e t n Pl i i j a pa d fve m a e eo pa a o s ls . The lantfs as e tt t t f c t t ha antf , nd i i l m rtr e s li if s r ha he a t ha 2Plitfs fl eul agu ta tejlysfn igta VignJTehwilul rtlae a ans anif' r fl z e h t h t ' idn h t r i t c lfly eaitd j i t c y r Mao p elre afn i gta Vi ni Teh atdi g o si Nowihtn i teJ r' rn rctd s idn h t yi a c ce n o d àt h. t tsa dng h uys ve di t t vv de e a u ed a t l l do not s r c , he :i nc dd c t ra es uppor a fr jng t t Vi gi a Te h w iluly t i l ha r ni c i lf l r t la e agai tM a on. The Cou ti f l s tsi t tV i i a Tec ac e i good f ih a ea it d ns r r s uly a i ted ha n ni h td n a t nd had r easonablzgr oundst beleve i di notvi at t l . o i t d ol e he aw 5 Vigni TLh p i s ne mae c mp rtr mo ealwst : t p e e tt erc s t t ej r . r i a r ad o l l o aao s r lo l m o rs n h i a e o h u y c r The Cour ha r pea kdl f t s e t y ound t t Four h Cic t pr k e s ha t r ui et t nt uppo t t s as e to Se d r s hi s ri n. e Br nk e G b 36 F. 1 344. i ly- u, 3d t t Vilni Tec a 'ue t tbe us i alopad Pli iD mor t n s em aes Pli if ' rl a h g s ha ca e t s i ant . i . S s e ha om l , antfs EPA cai l fi a a mat oflw. Vigi a Te h asd4 t t tlj t s Co tt a pt l n' al s s ter a r ni c sts ha çfor hi ur o do J Pl i if '( t r e a i Loft EqualPay A c ,a y e pl t m a e or f al ,e r ng l s t a ntf s n e pr t tol he t n m oyt r l , em e a ni e s han one sm ia l st t d ( pa a or of t oppost ge r 17 d hal hi or he e pl r i o i l l y- iua e om r t he ie nde , :ul d e s r m oye nt Co r a d itbls apr fceEP vo ain. De ' ?3m. ECF. .1 8 a 6. Vigna u t n l a ih i a i A ilto ' f s è , s ma ' No 9 , t r ii Te h a gue9t Pli iT cam ote t bls a prma f i ca t i lght(ft f c t tt ewe e c r he a nt:s l sa ih i ac e ë: n i ) he a t ha her r s el lpai m ae ca r t r . But i t Pli if 'r pi ofBrnk e obu i t t e s om owe d l mpa a o s , f he antfs e;lng i lys orur d, o i Vi g ni Te h' . > cc di t V igi a Te s a l ;s a e npl r pa ng a o s ri a c s or ng o r ni ch' na y t, ny l oye yi ny ne smi ry s lae c mpàao ls t a ap an ifwo l b d tte t,ud me ta ama trof i l l-i td o rt r e s h n litf u d e z ild cj g n s a u n te l w. As l A asa e p oye m a s e t tt s ve al1 ?e tpa d e pl eswe e ma e no a cg n m l r de ur ha he e r . /s i m oye o r l, f m a e c d e e t lls a prm a f c e c s of ge r 1ic i i i e l ou ver s a li h i ai ae nde t rm naton. The Cour w il not s t l a y s h lnze ofl % . Ac r ngl t r i no r a o t J s tt Cour' e ri rr i t t ppl uc l a co di y, he e s e s n o t e he p ts a le ulngs ha t ePlitfs c s p o . l we t e o etej r . h an i' ' a e r pl y n b f r h u y r The Cour m us A xta s s whe he t r wasan e i e e a it a ti lpe m itng a t t e s es t r he e y . d nc dm ted t r a r ti r a o bl .i y t fnd l a Vigi aTe h pad t Pli if 'ts be us t y we e wo n. At e s na e ur o i b t r ni c i he antfL e s ca e he r me t i ,Pl ntf s p oduc d e de e t , whie Vi g ni Te 1 m a s l r de e m i tons a tr ral ai if ' r k vi nc hat l r i a ( 1 de a a y t r na i fe c uli : r t da a Thi ot Cor n a Elz be h Fl r ga m a s l r de s ons pa ty ons tng na ke t , m hy vi nd i a t J t n de a a y ci i a rl b s d o tli p ro a s b e tv d tr n to o fin :k n t e o e ' v le Boh a e n lzr es n l u j cie eemiains f ar e E a d he mply e s au . t t tfe t . t ug t y di no m a s l r de e na i 5t a w hi , no w rte polc a esi i d ha , ho h hk d t ke a a y t nni toc û on m ' ' it n i y t Vigi aTel s tt o eci qualtc tonsfrs lres 1'z i Flnaga o Co vi di no i r ni r e he bi tve ii ai o aai . E hn f a n r r n d t n h 6 f ttke gl ri o at ount t pr e sis l alowed f le rbis i t a t r i ve s ac a l nde nt : c , he oc s te f l or j nde a f he c o s nvol d o des r 5 igi a Te h' s e ha ad hoc s a y de e n t o pr s ,w hi h a l a ta l d ied. r ni c s om w t al r t nni t n oce s i c t e s lowe frt epo ,b ly o s àe tv slr d cso s wo l as llw ara o a ej r , iwi te o h si ii f u j cie aay e iin , u d lo to e s n bl u y v e ng h i t l e de e i t lghtm ts f vor bl t t Pl i if ' t i 7 i biiy. vi nc l he i ,t a a e o he a ntf s , o nk la lt Fu : r bot t e Pl i if ' a V igi a Tec s e r s t s i i d t t t r w a a 1 he , h i a ntf s nd r ni h' xpe t e tfe ha he e s m e ur bl! y dipa iy be we n m aea f ma ef ndr it' a Vigni Te h,e n co r lng as a tpa s rl t e l nd e l u as 1 t r i a c ve ntoli s f c ie i s h a age e re ,a e a i n. Dr A l A s rV e rt s ii d t tt e was or r t r a uc s , xpe i nce nd duc to . ( nde kke e t fe ha her ) a f t e pa pe c n )di part be wee m e a w om r i Uni r iy D e l e t t oure n y r e s iy t n n nd n n ve s t ve opm n , he di pa iy v a tsa i tc tl s gnii a , a t t t di pa iy w a e de e of di c i i to s rt s lt t s i .ly i fc nt' nd ha he s t ' s vi nc s rm na i n. Dr J ne 7hor t whJ Vigi a Te h r t i d t r butI'.Ve r st tmony,t sii d t t .a t n on, m r ni c eane o e r kke ' esi e tte ha t r w as onl a e 4 pe c nt pa di pa iy, t t t : e g pe c nt di pa iy w a no he e y n i ht r e y s rt ha h i ht r e s rt s t ûsg tc nl' nd t tsltsi a a l e c d no de ti nii a , a ha a itc l nays s oul t mons l et tVigi a Te h dic i nae ' t t ha r ni c s rmi td t ag ns wo A n. Eve tl ai t l e n ough i wa r bu t Dr Ve rs1 si t s e ted, . kke ' stmony c ul t or tcal alow a ' d he e i ly l o r s bl ur t i e t Vig ni Te h vi a e t EPA .Be us s ee de e a ea ona e y o nf r hat r i a c olt d he ca e om vi nc dduc d a e t tilwo l p n tara o a l j r t c n l d t a Vign1Te h vo ae t eEPA,u g n ra ud e ui e s n b e u y o o cu e h t r i 1 c iltd h j d me t asa m a t r D l w i i lr r te f a s m pope . i. sl i aron' R et i on C l m s alati ai To lsa ih apr f i c s ofrtlain,Maol wa rquie t pr t ts ( ) ttbls i ace a e eaito ma r s e rd o ove ha he 1 e ag i notceda 1viy,( Vigi aTec a tda r ) agans he,a ()t prtce ng ed n r e t ci t 2) r ni h ce dves t i t r nd 3 he oe td y ac i t a a ve s ac i wer ca aly c r e t d. H oloC v W as ngt H o e , I . 48 tviy nc d r e ton e us l o m c e l ' . J hi on m s nc , 7 F.d 2 8 11 (t Ci.2 0 ) rt eCo r t e trj d f n a amatro 1w i Ma o s 3 0 , 8 4h r 0 7 .Fo h u t o ne u g t t s e te f a n rn' rtlain 4li t r mus be no e de e i t tilr : d alowi a ras bl j y t eaito am, hee t vi nc n he ra e or l ng e ona e ur o 7 c l tttVigi a Te r t la e a ns M a on. I t :e i no evi , s onc ude t a r ni ch e ait d gai t r fkr s denc uppori a of e tng ny tet reee n so r tlai n j d me ta amatro lv s o l b e tr d h h e me t f eaito ,u g n s te f a h u d e n ee . To s how t tV igi a Te ac ed a r e y ag i t le ,M a on i r ha r ni ch t dve s l a ns t r r nt oduc e de e t t ed vi nc ha V ig ni Ti h de e 1e pe s i t go t a non- e uiej ta ni conf r nce Vi gi a Te h ri a r c ni d : r nni s on o o r q r r i ng e e , r ni c r quie h, t pr t r c pt t r eve ta lr mbur re whe t o i nalr c pt ha e r d r o oduc r e ei s o ec i r ve ei x n nt n he rgi e ei s d b e ls,I d t a Viin aTe h i o e e tn e j b j ro n ebe c ma k o h r To e n o t t h t r ii c mp s d x e d d o x fnna c n b r s n e . n e t bls tItt e e z s c tt e a r e e pl e ; i ,M a on w a r qui e t s s a i h la hes ve t ons iut d dve s m oym nt k ons d r s e r d o how t t Vigil Te h' azi c d dis de a r s bl ' o ha r li c s tons oul sua a ea ona e z mpl yee fom co ai ng a ut r mpl ni bo dici nai Buri r Norhe n dnSant FeRy.Co.v Ihie 548U. 53,68( s rmi lon. lnjt on t r a .k- t, S. 2006) The . Supr m e f o tha be r cl a t t C ty s i ht ,m i a J o nc ,a s m pl l c of good e ur s (n e r ha t t lg s nor x ya es nd i e a k pe mn s'(ono co nner' : t unt f The is bef e t Cour t le oe i whehe a ra ona ej y #. sue or he t h rf r s t r e s bl ur c d fnd t t V igi L Te h' co uc c d have (i t oul i ha r li a c s nd t oul I i d a r s bl pe s n f o uade ea ona e r o r m com pl ni 4a ai n boutdi c i i ton. s lm na i Vi vn tee ie ei te l h mo tfv rbet 3ao ara o a l j r c ul f d e ig h v ânc n h i t s a o a l o 4 r n, e s n be u y o d i g n t t a m ol,M a o sif r d a t ty si ' a nota nu tra l ad r e aci n. M a on wa ha , t l t r n tfe e d t lght' nd pe z ily ve s to r s ne r de I e or tr 1 a V i gi a Te h ne r l e ej he s l r At t tm e M a o ve m l d t i o , nd r ni c ve ow r r a a y. he i rn r s g d,s t w a e i l1 f a pr oton a f ve pe c nt r i e. M or ove ,a lfm dr i e s a e i ne le s lgi,e or om i nd i re as e r l t asr t V i g ni T I h ha pk f m a e be hm a ks whi h t ri a l c ve r or nc nc r c ho a e e d ed t m e t a w he r xpe o e , nd n f ai e s do notm e tt e be hm a ks t y c n e ct i t V igi a Te h w ilhol t m i undr s r e hos nc r , he a xpe l r ni c a l d he n l r e t ' a po l i l t ke aci n. No til e (e owe se t nd t ntaly a m to ra v Ince de nonsr t d t t M a on' r ta e ha r s be c makl wee o j ziey u r a o be Fu temo t ohe Vign a Te h fndas r n h r : r b e tv l n e s na l. rh r r, t r r ii c u r ies t tfe t T n t i orgi lr ce pt w e e l t t y ha 1 , u ni h ne one t V igi a Te h esi i d ha whe he r i na e i s r os , he d : f r s w s o r ni c t rceve 1ave ri L e .No oft tile de lwoul al ar s na ej y t o e i ' l emblr ment ne he ra vi nc s d low ea o bl ur o 8 c udet1 tM a on s tf r d a a s e oyme a to ï Th rf r j g n a amatro oncl a r lfe e n dvere mpl nt c i . eeo e ud me t s te f l i f vl ofVi gi l Te i pr r aw n a r r ni2 ch s ope . c. New Tri aI Un i Rul 50. e 59 pe m ist Cou tt weg 1t e de e a cr di lt oft ke e Rul r t he r o i he vi nc nd e biiy he wi e s si deemiig wh t e t ej r ra he a a c p ë evedd. Cln ,1 4F.d a 3 . t se : tr nr eh r h u y e c d n c e lbl r i n z ie 4 3 t 01 I t c e! we g o1 t e de f he l l r i ht ' he vi nce dema d a ve dil f Vig ni Tec a ne ti i nde r c or r i a h, w ral s a opra t.I Unde t EPA,onceapli ife t bls k prm af i ca eofdipa ae pa ppr it: d l he antf sa ihe a i ace s s r t y, teb re o p o fs it t t ee ly rt p o eta t e4k rt wa b c u eo 1 sn o i , h u d n f r o h qs o h mp o e o r v h t h qpai s e a s f ) e i r y ' s y t 2 mei, ' b e tv plfnna c , r4 a oh rg n e -e ra ra o 2 U. C.j20 ( ) I ) rt 3 o j cie ro n e o ) n te e d rn lz l e s n. 9 S. 6d . n t s c e, /igi a Tel a gue e p i n num be f p la a pa di pa iy be wee t hi as r ni r r d xce t o h r our l t ny y s rt t n he Pl i if a l t i m a )c pa a or w a due t a ge r rt r f d o A tt s Rul 5 s a a ntf s d he r l om r t s s o nde - t al a r. ut hi e 9 t ge, t Cour nus wegh t e d nc a c e biiy of t :wine s a de e mi whe he he t t i he vi e e nd r di lt h t s es nd t r ne t r Vig ni Tl pr ri a l ch oved t t i pad Pli if ac or ng t l ge rne r l sa r .3 I t ha t i antfs c di o t nde - uta tnda d f he e de c z ry w e ghk i V igi a Te h' f vor a ne ti 1i w a r nt d. vi nce l a l i d n r ni c s a , w rl s r a e Theevi nce a mit d a ti we g sr y i ' igi a Tec sf vo . Vigi a Tec de t te t ral i hed tongl n $ r ni h' a r r ni h pr uce e'de e t tL Pli if s lre we ea o i. r ai t sm ia l st t m ae od d J nc ha he antfs' aa i s r ppr pr: e eltve o i l ry iuaed l i 1 c ompa a ol; whi h,i t Cour' viw,cla l d m onsr ( t ti di notte tt Pli if r t , c n he ts e e ry e ta ) ha t d s r a he a ntfs a dif eAl be us t y we e wome The Pl i i di not a uael r but Vigi a ny fer ty ca k he r n. antë d deq t y e r ni Te h' e c n e Ac o dn l, n w til sp o e i t i ctea t ej r ' o iia v r it s c s vie c . c ; igy a e ra i r p r n hs s s h u y s rgn l ed c wa a i tt I e rw e g oft e d e. ga ns he l a i ht he vi enc l 3 Att outk) teCo r n tsi c n enta alyjr mih lc t )a prp it b c g o ndo k o e g t he s , h ut ce t o cr h t a u y g t ak l p o rae a k ru r n wld e o s r de e m i e lty whatf ncr s r s d be pai r a i t one a t t . M a f ct s m us nec s iy i o m t r ne xlc l u aie s houl d eltve o no l r ny a or t es arl nf r slr d tr :ain , n a a jr ma n tb i teb s p sto t m tes c d tr n t nso e ly ev le aay eem a t s a d y uy y o e n h et o i n o k u h eemiai f mpo e au o i o i ca e s n s s uch . t s s hi . 9 Atti ,t Pl i if pr f r t e sm iary st td m ae compa at swhos s a i ral he a ntfs ofe ed hr e i l l iua a l r or e alres w e e hi i t n t Il i if ' V igi a Tec c e ed ' pr f r ng f r s m ia l st t d r ghd ha he a ntf s . r ni r h ount r ) of e i ou i l ry iua e y m al com lr t s w h(s s l res w e e l e t n t PlL if ' a one w hos s l r w as e a a or ,e a a i r ow r ha he i f s , nd nt e aa y . basc ly ie ial 7he j y t eor had a poolof tr smia l st t Vigi a Te h ial j ntc . ur herf e a i lry iuaed r ni c f aieri ei m e and t t o f m a e pl i if ,t a Lyz w he he t Pl ntf s r ce ve undr s é ght n , he w e l a ntf s o . l e n t r he ai i f e i d l s pa bl a e t 'e e f m ae. M a on' sa tng s l ) wa $49, pe yea a Ha ' e s y t us hey v r e l c r s t ri a a , s 000 r r nd nes sa tng s lr was$53: pe yea . M a on hed bot a Ba :e orsa M a tr sdeg e a ha t ri a zy 500 r r r l h l l ' nd se ' r e nd d x no ta f abl s es l ince Ha s he d a Ba hell' deg e a ha fve ye r of r nsel e al xpere . ne l c rs r e nd d i as t a f a !s l s e rinc r ns er bl a e xpe e e. By c m pa i o .Bra Thor bur who ma $3.,00, he d bot a Bac l ' a o rs n i n n g, de . 0 l h heors nd M a trsd. r e a haï no ta f a e s l e re e. lz k Ka l,who m a $ 273,hed se ' r e nd g r nser bl aes xpe i nc 'i hil de 40, l a Ba he ors de e a : ha o ye r ofta f r bl s l z re e. J m Ki who ma c l gr e n 1 d ne a r nse a e aes xpe inc ol ng, de $46, b ! a Ba hell' deg eeand ha no ta f r bl sL e renc J huaTe s r who 000, 1 d c drs r d r ns e a e l xpe i e. os es sa , made $48,) he d a Ba he o s degr e a ha t ye 1 of ta f r bl s l s e renc . : 00, l c l r' e nd d wo 1' s r ns e a e a e xpe i e Sc tDa r who m a $49, 0, hel bot a Ba he oré a M a t r sdegr e a ha t ot vi. , dt 50 000, d h c l 1 nd se ' e nd d wo ye soft n f r bl s ese re . Al o t e me ha tr s ar nls e a e a xpe ince l f hes n e umessm ia t t Pl i if i i lr o he antfs n t r ofe u a i a r l va s l se re es Ye,0 h.:t n Da s who m a $50 mor e ms t c ton nd e e nt a e xpe inc . t t L ha vi, de 0 e t M ar l,al oft slm e made l s t n t Pli if . Thi c pa a ore d nc sr y han o 1 he , n es ha he antfs s om r t vi e e tongl s ugge t t t V igi a T a h di notvi l t t EPA . s s h t r ni c d o a e he To zu tr t e Plitfs ito u e tre h g r : i mae c mp r tr. Be jmi o ne , h an if nr d c d h e ihe ad l o a ao s na n Gr ,wil a Ba heors de e a tze ye r ofta f r :e s l se re e m a $61000. ove t c l gr e nd lr e a s r ns e a ' a e xpe inc , de , l J m e Gr e,wih a Baz l ' deg eea f te ye r o ta f r bl s l se re e,ma a s oh t heors r nd oure n a s l r ns e a e a e xpe inc de $63, 000. (hrsophe I'ws wih a Ba heors de e 1'1e e n yea s ofta f a e s l s it r a on, t c l ' gr e M ( l ve r r nserbl a e e re k, ma $6:, xpe i nc r de 000. Bot J m e Gr and I t on, t t hi t pad mal h a s ove w ws he wo ghes i e c par t s, ha sgnii nty m or ex re om a o: d i tca l e pe i nce t n t Pl i tf s. La s had t i e t ha he a n if w on w c he e r e e of H a s l d J m e Gr ha t e tm e r E e e renc Bo h ha i i t l xpe i nc ne , t n s ove d hr e i s r ' xpe i e. t d nfnie y n r mo e ta i r be e l re c t a M ao . Be j mi (r v h d ls ta frbe sls r rn:ea l x p in e h n r n f e n a n Jo e a e s rnsea l ae e re et n Ha ,butm or t n M a on.Howe r hi e ouss lr wa $61000,whi h xpe i nc ha nes e ha r ve , :pr vi aa y s , c Vi g ni T' h m a c t r r thi . ri a E r c t hed o ec ui m V ir ng t c m pa a o e de e a a who e i : c ea t t V i gi a Te h di no kwi he t r t r vi nc s l , t ; l r ha r ni c d t c pe a l on t ba i of ge r V igi a Tec c pens 1 d o t bas s ofe re e Thi om ns t) he s s nde ' r ni , h om l e n he i xpe i nc . s c omporss/ h t tmoly fom Cor n a Fl na n who s de t tt be tpr dit off ur t 't esi L r i vi nd a ga l t d ha he s e c or ut e f aii ts es i pas s l e re e. The co pa a or e de e c d not be cl a e : undr s ni ucc s s t a es xpe i nc m l t vi nc oul e rr Vig ni ' lh' c pd a i de i i we e d i n by (gii a e ge - u r l c e ns r i a T c s om r ton c sons r rve ns l tm t , nderne ta onc r . The Pl i if pr a n'f s oduo l no c e bl e d nce a ti l j m onsr tng t t G e e nt s l s d r di e vi e t ra e tai ha s l va r ae e pein e' sme e (ap ee frds rmiain. Be ;xet j r sfndn t tVigna x re c wa r l r txt o ici n to c .s he u y' i ig ha r i i l Te h vi a z t EPA E ag ns t c ea w e gh oft e d l e,a ne t i li pr pe . c ol l d he s ai t he l r i t he vi nc w ra s o r lV . Concl i us on Li lda ed da t s a e i pr r i t s c s J l ntas a m a t r of 1 w w ilno be qli t m ge r m ope n hi a e. ud! ne te a l t e t r d i t Pl i i r EPA c ai bec us t r was s e t i e de n e e n he a ntf s' lm a e he e om ral vi nce f om w hi h a r c he e ght he ra o a e jr c u d 1 v te r tc ly fu d a voain. How ever,t cl ar w ei oft e s n bl u y o l k e h o eial o n a ilto evi dence E vor V i ni Tech. Acc di y,t Co t v il g a a new t i l N o e de e ' s rgi a or ngl he ur l r nt ra . vi nc a mi e a la s p o t afndn t a Vigni Te hrtla z a an tM a o a dj d me ta a d t d r l u p r ; i ig h t r i a c eaild g is r n n u g n s t i m at rofl w wilbee rr d f Vigi aTec on t tcli te ê l n e e or r ni h ha am A n I opra e ( r rs l i s t sda t ppr i t l de ha l s ue hi y. EN'ER: i J a o J n , 01 . - Th s f y f u e 2 1 v' :i g z ww Se i r' nie St t D it i dge o - t d a es s rct 12

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