3M settles Wis. air-pollution charges

Minnesota-based 3M Co. will pay $150,000 to settle allegations of air-pollution violations at a Wisconsin facility.

The Wisconsin attorney general's office said Tuesday the company had modified an air-pollution source at its Prairie du Chien facility without a required permit.

Site plant manager Rory Meisner says the work involved replacing components on an industrial boiler with identical components. He says the fine amount was based in part on 3M's ability to pay.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the Maplewood, Minn., company has also agreed to complete two projects designed to reduce the facility's carbon-dioxide emissions.

The judgment order signed Monday says the 3M facility in question is currently in compliance with its air-pollution permit.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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