Lawmakers have empowered the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to shut down chronic polluters more effectively after years of regulatory frustrations.
Chloe Johnson reports for The Star Tribune.
In short:
- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) can now close sites with chronic permit violations or falsified records, starting July 1.
- Recent cases like Water Gremlin and Smith Foundry highlighted the agency's previous inability to act decisively.
- The legislature also approved $5 million for new air pollution monitoring and staff.
Key quote:
"Whether it's Water Gremlin or Smith Foundry, we always look to see if we need new tools to protect communities and hold polluters accountable."
— Claire Lancaster, spokeswoman for Gov. Tim Walz
Why this matters:
Stronger regulatory powers enable Minnesota to better protect public health and the environment. For residents and environmental advocates, this move is seen as a crucial step towards safeguarding Minnesota's air, water, and soil from industrial contaminants that threaten public health. Chronic pollution has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cancer, and developmental problems in children.
