Minnesota regulators on Wednesday launched a process to strip a controversial metal foundry on St. Paul’s East Side of its operations permit, a rare move officials say is warranted to counteract the company’s lack of compliance with state rules.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency notified Northern Iron and Machine that it is seeking to revoke its permit, a move that would shutter the facility located off Phalen Boulevard. The MPCA and Northern Iron have been involved in a regulatory and legal battle over the past two years, since they reached a 2023 stipulation agreement that imposed a $41,500 fine on the foundry.
The MPCA has said for months that Northern Iron’s application for a new permit, required by the 2023 agreement, lacks needed information. In April, the agency warned the company that it was falling short and asked it to submit missing information by May 8. The company submitted new materials, but the MPCA was not satisfied…