On March 10th, a big black cloud covered a portion of the city.  CLICK FOR VIDEO  It is being called an air pollution incident stemming from a power outage at Erie Coke.  It caused the oven blowers inside the plant to shut down. Company owner JD Crane has refused any public comment.  Meet Erie resident Marty Visnosky. He grew up not far from the Coke plant.

"All the equipment is antiquated," said Visnosky.

Erie City Council Wednesday night approved a resolution asking the state's DEP to further investigate that black cloud that filled the air last week.

"It was a pretty scary big cloud out there and we are all breathing it," said Joe Schember, Erie City Council.

Erie Coke has been fined over 6 million dollars by state and federal agencies for the "flagrant disregard" of environmental laws.  The company has appealed.  City Councilors say it's time to take a stand.

"To either enforce the regulations or if they don't meet them they should be shut down," said Jim Thompson, Erie County Council President.

We were just outside Erie Coke Wednesday night.  We talked to some employees leaving work.  They refused our request for an on camera interview but said they remain concerned if the plant closes, some 150 people will be jobless.  Jobless in a very difficult economy.

The company has refused comment.