Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-8108
Detroit Lakes, Minn. ― Central Boiler has agreed to a $22,000 civil penalty and has agreed to complete actions requested by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to settle alleged violations of state environmental protection and reporting regulations during 2001 and 2009 at its facility in Greenbush, Minn.
The MPCA alleged that Central Boiler did not obtain a required air emissions permit or provide proper notification for the construction of an assembly line and paint booth at the facility in 2001. The agency also alleged that Central Boiler replaced equipment at the Greenbush facility in 2009 without submitting a required major permit amendment or providing notification within the required time period. In addition, the agency alleges the company submitted compliance information later than required and failed to provide annual emission inventories from 2001 through 2010.
In addition to paying the civil penalty, Central Boiler has agreed to take corrective actions that include submitting an application for the required air quality permit; providing required notifications; and submitting information demonstrating compliance; semiannual reports and emission inventory reports for 2001 through 2010. Most of the corrective actions have already been completed.
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’s website at /newscenter/enforcement.html
