Every Minnesotan expects healthy air, clean water, and sustainable lands. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is responsible for ensuring more than 84,000 permitted facilities, and other regulated communities in the state comply with rules and regulations designed to protect the environment and human health.
Whether it is a local waste water treatment plant or a manufacturing facility, the MPCA inspects permitted facilities, investigates public complaints, and reviews required reports and files to ensure standards are being met.
Providing assistance
The MPCA provides technical assistance and training to help permitted facilities and regulated communities meet their requirements. The agency works cooperatively with any permitted facility to prevent pollution and avoid future permit violations.
Holding violators accountable
When environmental rules and regulations are violated, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment. Enforcement actions may include warnings, field citations, administrative penalty orders (APOs), stipulation agreements (STIPs), and consent decrees.
The MPCA’s enforcement actions are necessary to hold the regulated community accountable and achieve compliance with regulations. Foremost, the MPCA wants to help avoid future permit violations.
Enforcing with transparency
The MPCA expects regulated parties to remain in compliance with permit and regulatory requirements that directly protect human health and the environment. To preserve the public’s trust in the enforcement process, the MPCA provides transparency on enforcement actions taken within agency program areas.
Enforcement reports and announcements
The MPCA releases mid-year and end-of-year enforcement reports that summarize closed violation cases.
MPCA enforcement actions with penalties
Interactive charts showing the number of enforcement cases with penalties each year, sorted by case type and by program.
News releases
In addition to summary reports, the MPCA routinely announces specific enforcement actions.
- According to an MPCA enforcement investigation, Lakehead Trucking, Inc., discharged wastes from a network of floor drains directly into the ground around its main shop in Duluth. (06/15/2021)
- According to an MPCA enforcement investigation, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company’s oilseed crushing and vegetable oil refining facility in Red Wing committed multiple air pollution violations between 2017 and 2019. (06/08/2021)
- Ever Cat Fuels, LLC, will pay a $300,000 civil penalty to the MPCA for air quality violations at its biodiesel production facility in Isanti. (06/07/2021)
- According to an MPCA enforcement investigation, Hibbing Public Utilities exceeded emission requirements in its air permit from 2017 to 2020 at its district heating plant. (05/28/2021)
- The MPCA today announced an enforcement agreement with 3M regarding the company’s failure to properly record, store, inspect, and dispose of hazardous waste at its manufacturing and waste incineration facility in Cottage Grove. (05/12/2021)
Enforcement concern or complaint?
Call the MPCA if you have concerns about local air pollution/quality, water runoff, or hazardous waste: 651-296-6300
Or online: Resident Complaint form.
FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about compliance and enforcement of environmental rules in Minnesota.
Southwest Light Rail Extension goes above and beyond
Above and beyond. In the management of construction stormwater, MPCA recognizes Southwest Light Rail Extension project for responsible development through stormwater controls.