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Olmsted waste-to-energy facility agrees to comply with EPA order

Release Date: 04/06/2009
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA047

(Chicago, Ill. - April 6, 2009) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued an administrative consent order under the Clean Air Act to the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEE), 301 Silver Creek Road N.E., Rochester, Minn.

The facility, a small municipal solid waste burner, has agreed to comply with federal regulations to control mercury, dioxin and furan emissions from the plant.

Last December EPA sent OWEF a notice alleging that the facility had violated the Clean Air Act by not taking the correct measures to control its mercury, dioxin and furan emissions. EPA met with facility representatives in January to discuss the allegations. This order resolves EPA's finding.

Exposure to mercury can permanently damage the brain and kidneys. Adults exposed to metallic mercury vapor may develop tremors, memory loss and kidney disease.

There is evidence that dioxins may cause liver damage and probably cause cancer in humans, while furans may also cause cancer.

Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at https://www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html
Potential environmental violations may be reported at https://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints