Midwest Energy Emissions wins $114 mln in US coal patent trial

Birchtech

02/03/2024 24:08

By Blake Brittain
       March 1 (Reuters) - A jury in Delaware federal court
said on Friday that Midwest Energy Emissions Corp  MEEC.PK 
(ME2C), which specializes in reducing mercury emissions from
coal-fired power plants, was entitled to more than $114 million
from a group of coal refiners that it accused of infringing two
patents.
    The jury found that a group of 12 coal-refining plant
operators, which ME2C had accused of violating its rights in
mercury-capture technology, were responsible for paying varying
amounts of the $114.1 million verdict, with a defendant
identified as CERT Operations RCB LLC liable for the largest
amount, more than $35 million.
    It also found that the companies infringed willfully, which
could lead a judge to multiply the award by up to three times.
    Representatives for ME2C and attorneys for the refiners did
not immediately respond to requests for comment on the verdict.
    Houston-based ME2C filed the lawsuit against the 12
companies and several others in 2019, alleging they reaped
"staggering profits" from federal tax credits for using its
technology to reduce the amount of mercury released by
coal-fired power plants. It also argued that the refiners
induced coal power plants not involved in the trial to infringe
its patents.
    ME2C said in a court filing that it was seeking royalties of
$1 per ton of coal sold by the refiners to power plants. The
refiners, located in Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska and North
Dakota, argued that they did not infringe the patents and that
the patents were invalid.

 (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington)
 ((blake.brittain@tr.com; +1 (202) 938-5713;))