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 at 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.

•  Fact sheet: Cumulative Levels and Effects  (aq1-40a)
  •  Spanish version (aq1-40b)
  •  Somali version (aq1-40c)

• All About Air Permits
• Air Permits and Forms

The purpose of this Web page is to provide:

1. The MPCA’s process for conducting cumulative levels and effects analysis in the statutory area
2. A place for individuals to sign up for notifications regarding this process and/or active permit applications
3. 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 651-757-2336.

•  Process document (aq1-41)
•  Reference document (aq1-42)

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 is proposing an amendment to their current air permit to allow a change in back-up fuels, and add heating equipment and an emergency generator for the lab building. The air permit application, including the cumulative levels and effects analysis and air pollutant dispersion modeling can be found at the following links. This application is currently undergoing MPCA staff review and has not been approved. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Sevcik at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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 will hold an information session about the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Air Permit Application.

• Date: May 31, 2012
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2742 15th. Ave. S., Minneapolis (28th E. St. and 15th Ave, S.)

The information session is for the public to review application materials early in the permitting process and also a time to ask MPCA staff about permitting and the application review process.

Issued Air Permits with Completed CL&E Analyses

Metro Transit Hiawatha Light Rail O&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.

• Air Permit for Metro Transit Light Rail O&M Facility (05301207-002-aqpermit)
• Presentation from Public Information Meeting on May 12, 2011 (aq5-31)