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It’s time to permanently close the Smith Foundry and hold the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency accountable. East Phillips residents are tired of being a sacrificial zone, an afterthought and a dumping ground for pollution. They continue to show their resilience despite government-imposed harm that continues to poison residents. This is an area with 75% people of color who have worse-than-average health outcomes compared to the rest of the state. My residents deserve better.
From the City’s attempt to demolish the roof depot site to build a parking ramp for diesel trucks, to the EPA failing to quickly and publicly report the foundry’s pollution findings (these violations are from 2018-2023), and the MPCA casting doubts on a Smith Foundry report about a federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions. The government is meant to help people, not hurt them.
I am calling on Governor Walz to hold Commissioner Kessler and the MPCA accountable for its debacle regarding the Smith Foundry. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Smith Foundry violated the Clean Air Act, a comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions. They did so by violating nine statutes of this law, which include failing to control lead pollution, emitting more than twice the amount of particulate matter allowed, and failing to maintain pollution mitigation equipment.
Despite ample evidence from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding these violations, MPCA Commissioner Kessler casted doubts on these findings. She said that the state has no evidence Smith Foundry violated the permit. In a meeting with elected officials, she also said she wished the report that documented the pollution did not go public. This is wrong, and our residents deserve to know when they are being put in danger.
I hope the State Legislature holds a hearing regarding this debacle where they call on Commissioner Kessler and Smith Foundry to answer these questions publicly. I look forward to holding a community meeting next month on ways the City can help protect our residents in Phillips from the ongoing pollution they are facing.
Sincerely,
Jason Chavez
Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209
Address: City Hall, 350 S. Fifth St., Room 307 Minneapolis, MN 55415
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