Media Contact Anne Perry Moore, 218-302-6605
Duluth, Minn. – Mesabi Nugget Delaware, LLC and Steel Dynamics, Inc. recently agreed to pay a $12,500 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for alleged water quality permit violations at their iron nugget production facility in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. The permittees have since fulfilled all of the settlement’s required corrective actions.
In 2005, the Mesabi Nugget/Steel Dynamic Hoyt Lakes facility received a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System permit that authorizes treated wastewater (effluent) discharge to state surface waters. The facility uses water for a variety of purposes, including cooling and air emissions control. Prior to discharge, treated wastewater must meet specific effluent limits.
The MPCA alleges that Mesabi Nugget did not meet the permit’s effluent limits, effluent volume restrictions and various reporting requirements.
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. The MPCA 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, visit the agency's website at www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/enforcement.html.
