Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Technical contact: Cary Hernandez, 218-846-0746 St. Paul, Minn. -- In an agreement with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers of Priam will work to reduce air emissions and pay a $10,440 penalty for violations of air quality standards. After improvements had been made to control dust emissions the facility received an air emission permit on March 17, 2004. However, later tests revealed significant violations of air quality standards for particulate matter. The MPCA issued two notices of non-compliance and on Dec. 29, 2005 conducted a site inspection. A test on Aug. 20, 2004 showed total particulate matter emissions of 8.54 pounds per ton of alfalfa processed, or 113 percent over the four-pound limit. A Dec. 22, 2004 test showed emissions of 4.3 pounds, or 7.5 percent over the limit. Testing for opacity, or visible emissions, exceeded the limit by 40 percent and 95 percent respectively on the two test dates. In addition, the facility failed to meet deadlines for reporting and keep monthly records of alfalfa quantity processed as required in its permit. Stipulations in the agreement require the facility to not exceed 10 tons per hour of alfalfa processed until tests show that it meets air emission requirements. The facility will conduct testing within 60 days of the agreement's effective date of Feb. 22, 2006. After the facility is notified that it has achieved compliance it has 60 days to apply for changes to its permit that coincide with results of successful performance tests. The settlement between Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers and the MPCA is called a "stipulation agreement." It is one of the tools used to achieve compliance with state and federal 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, refer to the agency Web site at:/newscenter/enforcement.html.