American Crystal Sugar Company failed emissions performance stack tests on two boilers in the fall of 2023 at its sugar beet processing facility in Moorhead, Minnesota. The tests showed that permitted limits for filterable particles and particulate matter were exceeded from a range of 62 to 226 percent, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation.
Facility reports submitted by the company to the MPCA confirmed several emission deviations on its vertical lime kiln, due to using too much fuel. These deviations occurred 121 times during 414 testing periods in the first half of 2022.
In addition to paying the $12,315 civil penalty, American Crystal Sugar completed a series of corrective actions including retesting and passing stack tests and submitting a plan to ensure the vertical lime kiln will operate within permitted limits.
MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities. When companies do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.
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.