According to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation, MTD Acquisition, Inc. violated several of its hazardous waste generator requirements at its machine tool manufacturing facility in Chisholm, Minn.
MPCA staff inspections in April 2023 confirmed violations including:
- Storing dozens of 55-gallon containers of hazardous waste beyond 90 days and/or without adequate aisle spacing.
- Failing to train staff and conduct weekly hazardous waste inspections.
- Treating liquid hazardous waste without prior approval.
- Failing to recover and clean up hazardous waste spills in the facility.
- Operating with an expired industrial stormwater permit.
In addition to paying the $16,400 civil penalty, MTD Acquisition has completed a series of corrective actions to address the violations and to achieve and maintain compliance with hazardous waste regulations.
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.
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