DTE Energy's coke battery unit to appeal US court ruling on Clean Air Act violations

Sept 5 (Reuters) - Utility DTE Energy DTE.N said on Friday its coke battery unit intends to appeal a U.S. court ruling that found it violated the Clean Air Act permitting rules, with a trial on penalties set to begin on September 15.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's trial brief includes a request for penalties, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The EPA had accused EES Coke Battery of violating its 2014 Clean Air Act permit by releasing substantially higher sulfur dioxide emissions than allowed and failing to meet reporting requirements set by Michigan's environmental regulator in 2018 and 2019.

DTE on Friday expressed uncertainty about the outcome and potential financial impact with regard to the unit's legal battle with the EPA.

The company, which was added as a defendant in the lawsuit last year, had earlier said it could not be held liable for Clean Air Act claims against the unit.

The EPA's motion for partial summary judgment on liability was granted by the trial court in August.