Ethanol company agrees to fine for pollution violations

A Minnesota ethanol company will pay more than $750,000 in fines and penalties to settle pollution violations with state and federal agencies.

The Winnebago company pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to a charge of falsifying air monitoring records. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Paul Aasen said his agency will continue to scrutinize the company and its records.

"We expect they will do the same," Aasen said. "The fact that they're entering into these agreements with us and EPA indicates to us that they understand what's going on. And we assume and hope they will make a good faith effort to take care of the issues."

Last year, Corn Plus paid a state penalty of nearly $900,000 for water pollution violations.

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