Court orders Northern Metals to shut down auto shredder
Court orders Northern Metals to shut down auto shredder
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In a court decision on Aug. 29, Ramsey County (Minnesota) District Court Judge John Guthmann ordered the scrap metal company Northern Metals, to shut down part of its metals recovery plant (MRP) and an attached rain and snow shed in North Minneapolis. The deadline to shut down the operations is Sept. 2, 2016.
According to the court ruling, the portions of the site that are required to be closed cannot be used until the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) either issues a modified air permit for the facility or the company proves to the agency that the MRP does not cause or contribute to the ongoing air quality violations in the area.
“We’re still reviewing the order to understand all the details,” says MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine, “but overall we’re pleased with the judge’s decision.”
The order came after the MPCA asked the court to issue an injunction earlier this summer.
In a release, the MPCA notes that it issued an air permit to Northern Metals in 2012. However, following concerns about poor air quality expressed by neighbors, legislators and the city of Minneapolis, it set up an ambient air monitor near the facility in 2014. The monitor found elevated levels of particulates, lead and other metals and, in response, the MPCA set up another monitor in 2015.
Through investigations at the site, the MPCA discovered that the company was not following its permit, had not provided critical information to the MPCA during the permit process and that it had made changes to the facility that increased emissions without the agency’s approval. In response, the agency initiated a separate action to revoke the facility’s permit in May 2016. The company requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge; a ruling on that request is expected this fall.
“Our job is to issue permits that protect human health and the environment,” says David Thornton, MPCA’s assistant commissioner for air quality issues. “When permittees don’t do what the law and their permit requires, it puts people at risk. We believe that Northern Metals is a significant contributor to the ongoing air violations in North Minneapolis and the court’s decision is a great step forward for the people living in those neighborhoods. While Northern Metals has made improvements to its facility, we expect them to respect the law and comply with the Judge’s order.”
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Source: Recycling Today
Court orders Northern Metals to shut down auto shredder
<![CDATA[In a court decision on Aug. 29, Ramsey County (Minnesota) District Court Judge John Guthmann ordered the scrap metal company Northern Metals, to shut down part of its metals recovery plant (MRP) and an attached rain and snow shed in North Minneapolis. The deadline to shut down the operations is Sept. 2, 2016. According to the court ruling, the portions of the site that are required to be closed cannot be used until the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) either issues a modified air permit for the facility or the company proves to the agency that the MRP does not cause or contribute to the ongoing air quality violations in the area. “We’re still reviewing the order to understand all the details,” says MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine, “but overall we’re pleased with the judge’s decision.” The order came after the MPCA asked the court to issue an injunction earlier this summer. In a release, the MPCA notes that it issued an air permit to Northern Metals in 2012. However, following concerns about poor air quality expressed by neighbors, legislators and the city of Minneapolis, it set up an ambient air monitor near the facility in 2014. The monitor found…