Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

ontact: Mark Sulzbach, (651) 296-7768 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has penalized United Health Group $13,200 for alleged air quality and air permit violations at its Plymouth and Elk River facilities. United Health Group (UHG), a health care corporation based in Minnetonka, has office buildings in Plymouth and Elk River. The facility in Elk River, called the United Health Next Technology Center, is located at 14100 Business Center Drive. Construction began on the Elk River building in March 2007, but UHG did not apply for an air emission permit for the facility's two hot-water boilers, several above and below-ground tanks and 10 diesel-powered emergency generators, until May 2008. In addition, the United Health Technology Center at 6150 Trenton Lane N. in Plymouth, was late in submitting the 2007 annual emission inventory. Because a file review uncovered a history of late submissions since 2003, enforcement action was taken. UHG disclosed the air emission permit violations at its Elk River building and has since completed corrective actions and paid the penalty as required. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it was 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 company with environmental laws. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions taken by the MPCA, visit the agency's Web site at hhref="/newscenter/enforcement.html.