Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: CoriAhna Rude-Young, 651-296-5965 Saint Paul, Minn. -- The owners of Metals Reduction Company LLC, a scrap metal recycling business located at 355 East University Ave. in St. Paul, have agreed to pay $27,000 for alleged hazardous and solid waste, aboveground storage tank, water quality and stormwater permit violations. The violations were discovered during Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Ramsey County Department of Public Health staff inspections of the company in 2005. Some of the alleged violations include failing to recover releases and prevent discharges of used oil and gasoline to the soil which could lead to soil and or ground water contamination, failing to properly store and label used oil and used oil filters, and failure to keep stormwater from coming into contact with wastes which could lead to contaminated stormwater leaving the site and entering the Mississippi River. In addition to paying the civil penalty, the company will need to submit documentation showing that they are meeting waste management and stormwater permit requirements. They will also investigate the extent of oil and gas contamination on the property. Following the date of inspection, Metals Reduction Company LLC purchased Metals Reduction Company Inc.'s assets but not the liability and commenced the ownership and operation of the facility. Proper handling and storage of hazardous materials is important for protecting Minnesota's land, water and air quality. The MPCA offers training and other educational materials to businesses and local units of government so that they understand and can abide by environmental regulations. A stipulation agreement is one of the tools used to achieve compliance with environmental laws. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities. It also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, go to the agency Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/enforcement.html.