3M pays $80,000 over handling of hazardous waste in Cottage Grove

By Jennifer Bjorhus | Star Tribune | May 12, 2021

Read the full article by Jennifer Bjorhus (Star Tribune)

“3M Co. paid $80,000 for numerous alleged hazardous waste violations at its Cottage Grove plant and incinerator, according to an enforcement action the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced Wednesday.

At issue was a release of ‘extremely toxic’ hydrofluoric acid, a regulated hazardous waste, from corroded barrels in 2019, and many alleged violations regarding how 3M was handling and storing hazardous waste at its Cottage Grove complex.

Hydrogen fluoride is a particularly risky chemical. It has long been used at oil refineries, and the tanks of it were a major concern during the explosion at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Superior, Wis., in 2018.

Seven companies have the chemical on site in Minnesota, state records show, with the largest amount at the St. Paul Park refinery now owned by Marathon Petroleum, followed by 3M’s Cottage Grove plant.

3M paid the $80,000 civil penalty and finished 15 corrective measures, the MPCA said…”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.