The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) fined Cabinetworks Group’s Waconia facility, Wood Products, $11,520 for violations of its air permit.
In the air permit that the MPCA issued for the facility, Wood Products was required to perform a particulate matter test on April 24, 2024, but facility staff did not complete the test until April 16, 2025, nearly a year late. In a subsequent investigation, the MPCA also found that the facility was capturing 99.6% of particulate matter and not at the 99.9% rate stated in its permit.
In addition to issuing the fine, the MPCA adjusted the facility's permit, lowering the efficiency rate of the facility's pollution control equipment to 97.8%. Under state law, the MPCA may make such adjustments to reflect site-specific conditions. The MPCA will also require the facility to use two filters in a series, conduct follow-up performance testing, and ensure that it conducts future performance tests by their due dates.
The MPCA remains 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.
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.