Two national environmentalist groups asked a federal judge on Monday to let them join as plaintiffs in a suit against Middletown-based AK Steel.

        The Sierra Club and the New York-based Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) asked U.S. District Judge Herman Weber to let them join the federal government andOhio in suing for alleged pollution violations at the company's Middletown Works.

        Judge Weber said he was concerned more plaintiffs would mean more delays in litigation languishing since June 2000.

        Steve Crandall, a San Luis Obispo, Calif., attorney representing the environmentalist groups, said he was considering one additional claim.

        Federal regulators sued AK Steel, alleging the steel maker violated clean-air, clean-water and hazardous waste disposal laws.

        Judge Weber noted the Sierra Club has been critical of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for some time. “How can I expect cooperation between the Sierra Club and the Ohio EPA?” Judge Weber asked.

        “We may not always be arm-in-arm with the United States and the state of Ohio, but we will do our best to move this case forward,” Mr. Crandall said.

        Cincinnati attorney Paul Casper Jr., representing AK Steel, argued the groups should not be allowed to intervene because they waited more than a year and a half before seeking to lend their weight to the case.

        And he told Judge Weber that the motion to intervene amounts to “piling on” — making AK Steel defend itself against four plaintiffs instead of two.

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