Cumulative Impacts Air Permitting in South Minneapolis
The 2008 Minnesota Legislature passed a law that affects how the MPCA evaluates air permit applications for a very specific part of South Minneapolis (see fact sheet below). The law requires the MPCA to analyze and consider “cumulative levels and effects of past and current pollution,” before a permit may be issued for a facility located in the area described by the statute (Minnesota Statutes Section 116.07, Subdivision 4a). The full text of the statute is available on the Office of the Revisor website.
A journal article describing the method and its implementation was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The full text of the article is free and is available on the IJERPH website.
The links below provide information about air permitting and the MPCA’s process for meeting the requirements of the statute.
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Cumulative Levels and Effects (aq1-40a)
- Spanish version (aq1-40b)
- Somali version (aq1-40c)
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The purpose of this Web page is to provide:
- The MPCA’s process for conducting cumulative levels and effects analysis in the statutory area
- A place for individuals to sign up for notifications regarding this process and/or active permit applications
- Information about permit applications that are under review by the MPCA for proposed projects located in the statute area.
Cumulative Levels and Effects Process
The MPCA has developed a cumulative levels (CL&E) and effects process for permit projects located in the statute area. The process document describes what steps will need to be followed in conducting a cumulative levels and effects analysis. The reference document provides sources of information that will be used in the analysis. For more information, contact Kristie Ellickson, 651-757-2336.
- Process document (aq1-41)
- Reference Document (aq1-42)
- Cumulative Levels and Effects Factsheet (aq1-42b)
Public Participation Plan
The MPCA is expanding outreach in the statute area to include notifications, announcements and updates about air permit applications, community information sessions during permit application review, and public information meetings. Individuals may sign up to receive notifications related to MPCA receipt of permit applications and updates to the process. To be placed on the notification list, visit the MPCA’s GovDelivery subscription page to sign up to receive email or wireless updates.
Air Permit Applications for Proposed Projects in the Statute Area
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
There is one active permit application at this time. It is for Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Abbott). Abbott is proposing an amendment to their current air permit to
- allow a change in back-up fuels for the main campus boliers, and
- add heating equipment and an emergency generator for the lab building.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a draft air emissions permit for Abbott Northwestern Hospital, located at 800 28th St. E. in Minneapolis. The public comment period runs from Dec. 7, 2012 to Jan. 22, 2013.
A public information meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the draft permit. The meeting will be held at The Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Ave. S. in Minneapolis.
Links to the public notice, draft permit, and technical support document are below:
The air permit application, including the cumulative levels and effects analysis and air pollutant dispersion modeling can be found at the following links. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Sevcik at sarah.sevcik@state.mn.us or 651-757-2715.
- Abbott Northwestern Cumulative Levels and Effects Report (aq5-32a)
- Abbott Northwestern Permit Application (aq5-32b)
- Abbott Northwestern Model Report (aq5-32c)
The MPCA held an information session about the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Air Permit Application on May 31, 2012, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church (2742 15th Ave. S. in Minneapolis). Below is the fact sheet from this session.
Issued Air Permits with Completed CL and E Analyses
Metro Transit Hiawatha Light Rail O and M Facility
The Metro Transit Light Rail O&M Facility air permit and technical support document (TSD) can be found at the link below. The TSD includes a description of the facility, the basis for the permit requirements, and detailed information about the CL&E analysis. The TSD begins on page 31. This air permit was issued August 25, 2011.
- Metro Transit - Light Rail O&M Facility Air Quality Permit (05301207-002-aqpermit)
- Presentation from Public Information Meeting on May 12, 2011 (aq5-31)
Additional Cumulative Risk Assessment and Cumulative Impacts Resources
- All About Air Permits
- Criteria Pollutant Modeling
- Air Emissions Risk Analysis
- What's In My Neighborhood
- Air Monitoring Network
- Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program — 651-201-5909
- Minnesota Department of Health Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program — 651-201-5405
- Minnesota Department of Health: Air Values Tables
- U.S. EPA: Concepts, Methods and Data Sources for Cumulative Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Chemicals, Exposures and Effects: A Resource Document
- U.S. EPA: Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment
- U.S. EPA: Community-Based Risk Assessment
- U.S. EPA: Environmental Justice tool using U.S. Census Data
- Hennepin County: Survey of the Health of All the Population and the Environment (SHAPE)
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Asthma Capitals
