Judge halts action on metal-scrapping plant

A Ramsey County District judge today ordered the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to halt administrative actions on a metal-scrapping facility in north Minneapolis.

Critics say the company's permit should not be adjusted to allow the facility to increase the amount of pollutants it releases.

The agency had planned to rule on the conditions of an environmental review for Northern Metal Recycling's plant near North Lowry Avenue and the Mississippi River on Tuesday. The judge's order puts that meeting on hold until the Court rules that administrative actions can again proceed.

The company and the MPCA are currently embroiled in court battles about the company's use of a metal shredder that emits mercury and particulate matter.

Particulates have been released at a higher level than the company is permitted by the state. Northern Metal Recycling wants to change their permit to allow more pollutants to be released but has run into opposition from critics like the Minneapolis City Council, which passed a resolution in December expressing concerns about the plant.

A spokesman for the MPCA and the lawyer representing Northern Metal Recycling both declined to comment.