The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Aitkin-based American Peat Technology $12,468 for failing to properly maintain and inspect equipment designed to monitor and reduce air pollution.
On June 26, 2025, the MPCA conducted an air compliance inspection at American Peat Technology’s Aitkin facility. During the inspection, MPCA staff discovered the facility failed to keep inventory of required spare parts for a dryer cyclone and a baghouse that both control particulate matter emissions. Facility staff also failed to conduct required annual, quarterly, and monthly inspections of the equipment in addition to required annual calibrations. MPCA staff also found that configurations for the equipment’s alarm system prevented proper monitoring of the baghouse.
In addition to paying the fine, American Peat Technology agreed to immediately begin required inspections of its equipment. The company also agreed to submit an updated operations and maintenance plan to ensure that it inspects and calibrates its equipment correctly in the future.
The MPCA is committed to protecting human health and the environment by enforcing rules and regulations and limiting pollution and discharges from facilities. When facilities do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment. Since 2019, the MPCA has issued 8,365 enforcement actions amounting to more than $24 million in penalties.
When calculating penalties, the MPCA considers how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations. The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.