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St. Paul, Minn.-- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) has penalized the Tiller Corporation, which operates a processing and
shipment center for silica sand in North Branch, Minn. for multiple violations
of the facility’s air quality permit.
The company built the facility in 2012-13 and began operating following
issuance of an air quality permit from the MPCA in January 2013. Silica sand is
brought to the facility from mines Tiller operates in Wisconsin, and processed
for use in hydraulic fracturing and other industries. Product is shipped by rail and truck from the
facility.
The permit requires performance tests of control equipment to ensure the
facility’s emissions meet applicable air quality standards. The company is
required to submit the results of these tests to the MPCA.
Test results were submitted to the MPCA in October 2013, covering
testing performed in the summer of 2013. The results showed the facility
exceeded many of its permitted emission limits for particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and sulfur dioxide on emission sources at the facility. A
separate report submitted to the agency also showed that nighttime noise limits
were exceeded at two fence-line monitoring locations. Other testing during November 2013 indicated
continued noncompliance with carbon monoxide and volatile organic compound emission limits. Additionally, the MPCA
found that testing frequency plans, required following initial testing, had not
been submitted. In all there were 45 missing submittals, 25 emissions violations,
and four noise violations.
To resolve the violations, Tiller agreed to pay a civil
penalty of $85,000 to the state. In
addition, the company agreed to modify certain emissions control equipment and
complete modifications to mitigate noise within 90 days. When those measures
are complete, the company will conduct noise monitoring and submit results to
the MPCA.
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. It 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, refer to the agency Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has
penalized Tiller Corp., which operates a processing and shipment facility for
silica sand in North Branch, Minn., for violations of its state air-quality
permit.
The company had numerous violations
of its permitted limits for certain pollutants and for nighttime noise over the
second half of 2013. The company agreed
to pay a civil penalty of $85,000 penalty to the state.
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www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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