MPCA / Northern Iron and Machine

Permit violations at Northern Iron and Machine

Northern Iron and Machine is a foundry located in our midst at 867 Forest Street at Wells Street.  Northern Iron emits various air pollutants, including lead and fine particulates. The area around the Northern Iron foundry is known to have high levels of childhood lead exposure.  For over a decade, Northern Iron operated with equipment that was not included in its air permit issued by the State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Late fall of 2023, the MPCA ordered Northern Iron to produce updated emissions modeling and apply for a permit amendment.

The updated modeling showed significant air quality violations for lead and fine particulate matter. In April 2024, the MPCA ordered Northern Iron to reduce its operations to get emissions down. Northern Iron also started purchasing additional pollution control equipment to install. Northern Iron also went to court, and in July a judge temporarily lifted the MPCA’s order but ordered Northern Iron to install additional pollution control equipment. By the judge’s order, Northern Iron must produce updated modeling showing that the new pollution control equipment has reduced lead and particulate matter to the levels required by law.

Next steps by MPCA for Northern Iron air permit

The MPCA is committed to transparency and keeping the Payne Phalen community updated about Northern Iron’s application for an amended air permit for its iron foundry in St. Paul. This is the latest update about Northern Iron’s air permit.

The MPCA has now received a completed air permit application from Northern Iron. The company’s initial application submitted in September required significant additional information and the MPCA asked Northern Iron to submit a revised application, which we have received. The agency will now proceed with a thorough permitting process.

The MPCA is committed to setting air emission limits and operating requirements that protect the health and safety of the Payne-Phalen neighborhood.

The MPCA is now performing a thorough technical review to verify information and data submitted with the application. The technical review process is critical to writing a comprehensive and protective permit and during this time the MPCA may ask Northern Iron for additional information if additional data is needed. Once that is completed, we will develop plans for a public meeting for the draft permit to ensure the community stays up to date on the process and timeline, and to answer questions from residents.

Review Northern Iron’s permit application on the MPCA website.

Please note:  the document includes air dispersion modeling results — estimates for air pollution levels in the surrounding neighborhood based on permit application data and weather conditions. The application does not include regulatory modeling input files, which are available upon request.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the MPCA at northern.iron@state.mn.us, or visit the Northern Iron MPCA webpage.

Court Hearing on Northern Iron Foundry

Because the judge’s decision was only a temporary order, there will be additional arguments in the case. The next court hearing is November 7, 2024.  The hearing will be open to the public via Zoom.

The court asks that observers follow certain protocol:
• Please keep your video and microphone off during the entire hearing.
• Please label yourself “First name Lastname, Observer.”
• Recording or photographing hearings is not allowed without prior permission.
To access the hearing, go to: https://zoomgov.com/join, and use the Meeting ID: 161 397 7241 and Passcode: 084871.

Comment period on amended permit

Because Northern Iron’s current permit does not cover all of its equipment, it is required to get an updated air permit. Northern Iron has submitted an application for a permit amendment to the MPCA. After the MPCA conducts a technical analysis, it will release a draft permit for public comment.

Your voice matters! Sign up at the bottom of MPCA’s Northern Iron page to make sure you are notified of the comment period.

Take Action

Air Quality and Monitoring

View information from air monitors and on air quality from apps and websites:

Purple Air https://map.purpleair.com/.  Click on any of the dots and you will see more detailed information about the current reading and recent readings. The readings change from hour-to-hour and day-to-day.  As you zoom in on the map page you will see that some locations, such as around Northern Iron, have several air monitors.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/current-air-quality-conditions

Air Now, hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency https://www.airnow.gov/. It also has a fire and smoke map and smoke advisories. It shows if a sensor is temporary, permanent, or low-cost.

Firesmoke.ca is a Canadian portal for information about wildland fire weather and smoke. It has a dynamic map with options for layers, and ability to zoom in to Minnesota.  https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

Detailed information is available

Through a public records request, community members obtained documentation from the MPCA about Northern Iron’s violations and updated emissions modeling by state environmental officials. Their modeling is still in development, but the documents show that emissions may exceed what was expected. Anyone is invited to access those documents here.

Our April 23, 2024, Community Meeting was primarily focused on Northern Iron and Machine. Alex Lawton, CEO Lawton Industries (the owner of Northern Iron and Machine) was present and answered questions.  Minutes from that meeting: PPCC Minutes April 23, 2024

On May 22, 2024, the MPCA, the MN Department of Health, and Ramsey County Public Health held a public meeting. The presentation can be viewed at presentation of 5.22.2024

Our call to action

The Payne-Phalen Community Council has been notified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) about permit and emissions violations at a large iron foundry located in the Payne Phalen neighborhood, Northern Iron and Machine located at 867 Forest Street.  Last fall, Northern Iron LLC was fined $41,500 by MPCA for air quality violations.  MPCA officials came to PPCC’s Community Meeting in November 2023 to listen to our Board and take their questions.  At that time, our Board called on MPCA for three things:

  • The Payne-Phalen Community Council called for immediate notification by MPCA via US Mail of all households and businesses within 10 block radius of the Northern Iron facility.  As of April 4, 2024, MPCA has not done this.
  • The Payne-Phalen Community Council called for immediate installation of two air quality monitors as promised by MPCA.  As of April 4, 2024, one has been installed but is only intermittently working because of electrical feed is not stable.  PPCC has not been notified as to when a second air quality monitor will be installed.
  • The Payne-Phalen Community Council called for Legislative Rule changes to allow all fines related to Northern Iron and Machine to be directed back to community health facilities in Payne-Phalen, particularly those treating childhood asthma.  MPCA informed us that we would need to take that up with the MN Legislature ourselves.

Beyond our specific request of MPCA, we are working on matters on our own and with others:

  • Our Council has convened a working group to share the responsibilities and make progress in this direction.
  • We are pursuing and continuing our engagement with allies, partners, and volunteers in the public health and EJ space.
  • PPCC is working to ensure elected officials are aware of, and support appropriate action on this polluting facility.
  • We are trying to stay abreast of bills and developments in the 2024 legislative session and we offer our support and insights as needed.
  • With the help of our Council and volunteers, we are doing our best to dig into complex, expert technical information so that we can continue to speak truth to power and bring information to our communities.
  • PPCC is trying to stay abreast of conversations and community action related to other foundries in the area, particularly the Smith Foundry in South Minneapolis and the St. Paul Foundry in Frogtown.

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