Judge allows Northern Iron to resume normal foundry operations on St. Paul’s East Side over state’s objections

A Ramsey County District Court Judge on Friday struck down most of a state order that limited production at a St. Paul metal foundry to protect nearby residents.

Judge Leonardo Castro ruled that Northern Iron may largely resume normal operations. The company had filed an injunction in court challenging an April administrative order issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) that limited the company’s hours and metal melting quantities in order to reduce pollution.

The MPCA said in a statement Friday that it disagreed with the ruling, and pledged to continue to monitor pollution in the East Side neighborhood around the foundry.

“The MPCA respectfully disagrees with Ramsey County District Court’s order to temporarily lift parts of the administrative order, paving the way for Northern Iron to operate to the company’s fullest extent — despite the company’s own modeling information that shows emissions levels of three different pollutants far above the acceptable levels established by the Clean Air Act,” the MPCA’s statement said.

Castro’s ruling allows some measures issued by the MCPA to remain in place until November. Northern Iron is required to rapidly install new pollution capture equipment, and must continue to submit monthly reports to the MPCA on its operations and the lead content of scrap metal it uses.

The judge also ordered Northern Iron to submit a new permit application to the MPCA. But as part of that process, the judge ruled, the foundry can install new pollution control equipment before submitting estimates about how much airborne particulate matter and lead the foundry is emitting.

The ruling came two days after a Wednesday court hearing where the state and company argued their positions.

The MPCA’s April order was issued after new emissions modeling submitted by the company showed levels of particulate matter — tiny, smog causing particles — and lead that exceeded federal standards. The modeling was required in a settlement reached between the state and Northern Iron in 2023 after the century-old foundry was fined for failing to report a series of new equipment installations over a 15-year period.

Northern Iron argued in court Wednesday that it was ordered to submit modeling based on worst-case scenarios under continuous operating hours, and based on pollution metrics the company believed are flawed. The MPCA’s order limited the facility to melting 10 tons of metal per day; it generally melts around 30 tons.

The company argued that the MPCA would not let it submit modeling that incorporated its planned new pollution control equipment. The company also alleged that the state was attempting to look strong after political fallout over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found several violations at Smith Foundry in south Minneapolis, another century-old foundry located in a diverse neighborhood.

“It has everything to do with what happened at Smith Foundry,” Northern Iron’s attorney Brian Bell said at Wednesday’s hearing.

The MPCA’s order caused the company to lay off several workers, said attorneys for Northern Iron. The company packed the courtroom with employees Wednesday. Attorney Roxanne Gonzalez said the foundry would have to close if the MPCA’s order remained in place.

Colin O’Donovan of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office argued that Northern Iron has been out of compliance with state and federal permits for years, and has been unable to demonstrate that it can operate full-time without emitting excessive pollutants.

“This business’s actions have had consequences for the community for years,” O’Donovan said.

A hearing scheduled for August 22 will consider the MPCA’s motion to reinstate the administrative order.

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