MESABI NUGGET, STEEL DYNAMICS PENALIZED $12,500 FOR POLLUTION VIOLATIONS

For release: May 2, 2011

Media Contact: Anne Perry Moore, 218-302-6605

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MESABI NUGGET, STEEL DYNAMICS PENALIZED $12,500 FOR POLLUTION VIOLATIONS

Duluth, Minn. – Mesabi Nugget Delaware, LLC and Steel Dynamics, Inc. recently agreed to pay a $12,500 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for alleged water quality permit violations at their iron nugget production facility in Hoyt Lakes, Minn.  The permittees have since fulfilled all of the settlement’s required corrective actions.

In 2005, the Mesabi Nugget/Steel Dynamic Hoyt Lakes facility received a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System permit that authorizes treated wastewater (effluent) discharge to state surface waters.  The facility uses water for a variety of purposes, including cooling and air emissions control.  Prior to discharge, treated wastewater must meet specific effluent limits.

The MPCA alleges that Mesabi Nugget did not meet the permit’s effluent limits, effluent volume restrictions and various reporting requirements.

When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it is a first-time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities.  The MPCA also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.  For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, visit the agency's website at www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/enforcement.html.

Broadcast version

Mesabi Nugget and Steel Dynamics recently agreed to pay a twelve thousand, five hundred dollar penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for alleged water quality permit violations at their Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota iron nugget production facility.  The facility uses water for a variety of purposes, including cooling and control of air emissions.  The M-P-C-A alleges that Mesabi Nugget did not meet the permit’s treated wastewater limits and volume restrictions, as well as various reporting requirements.  The permittees have since fulfilled all required corrective actions.  For more information, visit the M-P-C-A’s website at www.state.mn.us.

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The mission of the MPCA is to work with Minnesotans to protect, conserve and improve our environment and enhance our quality of life.