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News releases

State environmental officials call on Congress to respect states’ role in chemical safety — Thursday, May 19, 2016

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner John Linc Stine joined state environmental officials from Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington in calling on Congress to reconsider the language in a proposed bill to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.

MPCA moves to shut down Minneapolis shredder — Thursday, May 19, 2016

The facility, which operates a metal shredder at the site, is believed to be a primary source of particulate emissions that have repeatedly violated state air quality standards near the site since 2014, when the MPCA began operating air monitors near the facility.

Studies of water quality in Yellow Medicine River Watershed released; open for public comment — Monday, May 16, 2016

The Yellow Medicine River WRAPS report and TMDL report are available for public comment through June 15.

MPCA and EPA reach $1.5 million settlement with sugar beet processor over water and air violations — Thursday, May 12, 2016

The Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative has agreed to correct the violations and will pay more than $1.5 million in penalties.

MPCA proposes to add ten, delete one of state’s contaminated sites on Minnesota Superfund list — Monday, May 9, 2016

The public is invited to comment on the proposed sites’ additions and deletion by June 10, 2016.

UPDATE: MPCA issues air pollution health alert for Twin Cities and parts of southern Minnesota — Friday, May 6, 2016

The air pollution health alert and advisory will last until 10:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Environmental review of Morgan municipal waste water treatment project open for public comment — Tuesday, May 3, 2016

The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through May 31, 2016.

MPCA completes 22 enforcement cases in first quarter of 2016 — Monday, May 2, 2016

Penalties from all 22 cases totaled just over $160,000.

Micom is cited for hazardous waste violations — Thursday, April 21, 2016

In addition to correcting identified problems, the company paid a $27, 425 civil penalty.

MPCA recognizes wastewater plant operators for excellence — Wednesday, April 20, 2016

The MPCA recently recognized 288 Minnesota wastewater treatment facilities for maintaining a perfect record of permit compliance during 2015.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed hog feedlot in Redwood County — Wednesday, April 20, 2016

If approved, the proposed farrowing, breeding and gestation operation will house a total of 3,392 sows and 1,190 gilts in three barns.

Comments invited on reports about restoring Root River and tributaries — Tuesday, April 19, 2016

The MPCA is accepting comments on the reports through May 16.

Get hooked on volunteering and help Minnesota’s waters — Thursday, April 14, 2016

More than 1,300 Minnesotans participate in the Citizen Monitoring Programs, but in order to reach all water bodies across Minnesota, more volunteers are needed.

UPDATE: MPCA expands air pollution health advisory to include the Twin Cities — Thursday, April 14, 2016

The affected area includes Mankato, Hutchinson, St. Cloud, Marshall, Willmar, Detroit Lakes, Brainerd, Bemidji and Thief River Falls.

MPCA seeks comments on water quality reports for Mustinka River Watershed — Wednesday, April 13, 2016

The MPCA has published a set of two reports on the Mustinka River watershed, and is seeking comments from the public on both.

MPCA beginning water quality monitoring field work throughout Minnesota — Tuesday, April 12, 2016

The most intensive monitoring activities will focus on five of Minnesota’s 80 major watersheds —  Mississippi River-Brainerd, Mississippi River-Sartell, the Ottertail River, the River Kettle and Upper St. Croix River watersheds.

Farmer panel to share water quality projects and practices at Chippewa River watershed annual meeting — Tuesday, April 5, 2016

At the CRWP annual meeting April 7 in Starbuck, a panel of area farmers who have been making changes called for in the plan will share their experiences on how it’s both profitable and helps achieve water quality goals.

MPCA analysis confirms poor air quality in North Minneapolis industrial area — Thursday, March 24, 2016

Air monitors have recorded violations of the state standard for particles in an industrial area of North Minneapolis.

MPCA commissioner announces creation of environmental justice advisory group — Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The group will provide input and recommendations about ways to incorporate the principles of environmental justice into the agency’s work.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed hog feedlot expansion in Freeborn County — Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Public comments on the proposed Buendorf feedlot expansion EAW will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on April 13, 2016.

MPCA seeks public comments on proposed landfill expansion in Polk County — Monday, March 7, 2016

The landfill currently covers about 52 acres within a county-owned 360-acre plot of land. The proposed expansion would increase the landfill by about 13 acres.

MPCA offers small-business grants to cut air emissions — Friday, March 4, 2016

The grants will pay up to $50,000 for projects to reduce use of VOC-containing chemicals or put in lower-emitting equipment.

Contaminated groundwater concerns mount in Minnesota — Thursday, February 25, 2016

Up to 60 percent of groundwater monitoring wells sampled in central Minnesota are contaminated with nitrate well beyond the safe drinking water standard.

MPCA completes 10 enforcement cases in fourth quarter of 2015; 149 cases in all of 2015 — Tuesday, February 2, 2016

In all of 2015, the MPCA issued just over $999,000 in penalties.

MPCA reviews proposed feedlot in Wright County — Monday, January 25, 2016

The agency has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed project, and is making the document available for public comment through Feb. 16, 2016.