Northern Iron neighbors push back after judge rejects pollution limits at St. Paul foundry

Lawmakers and residents on St. Paul’s East Side are disappointed by a judge’s order removing most of the limitations on a local foundry that were meant to curb its pollution.

Payne-Phalen residents attended a recent community meeting about the development with Northern Iron, saying they’re upset with the decision and concerned about the health impact in their neighborhood.

“I don’t want to move, I want that foundry under control,” said Sarah Degner Riveros, who is raising her five children in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood.

A group of DFL lawmakers representing the East Side issued a statement on July 17 criticizing the ruling from Ramsey County District Judge Leonardo Castro. Senator Foung Hawj and Representatives Rick Hansen, Liz Lee and Jay Xiong said they are concerned that increasing production could lead to higher levels of air pollution.

“The court’s unprecedented decision deeply disappoints us,” the lawmakers said. “We are concerned about its potential impact on air quality in the East Side of Saint Paul and surrounding communities. This concern is particularly heightened due to the potential impact on the health of BIPOC and vulnerable communities, which are already disproportionately burdened by pollution.”

Castro issued an order on July 11, striking down most of an administrative order the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) placed on Northern Iron forcing the metal foundry to reduce its operations in order to limit emissions. Castro’s decision allowed the century-old foundry to operate at full capacity.

The MPCA issued its order in April due to projections that showed the facility was emitting levels of particulate matter and lead that exceeded federal standards. The foundry had reduced the amount of scrap metal melted at its facility from roughly 30 tons to 10 tons per day to comply with the order.

Northern Iron filed for a temporary injunction against the administrative order. The company and state made oral arguments in court on July 10.

The judge’s order allowed the foundry to resume normal operations while it rapidly installs new pollution control equipment. However, Northern Iron must continue to submit monthly reports to the MPCA about 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 by September.

Neighbors demand better protection

Degner Riveros, a Spanish professor at Augsburg University, planted a cherry tree in her yard when she moved to the Payne-Phalen neighborhood in 2017. She moved to Minnesota from Indiana, and was impressed by how environmentally conscious her new home seemed. She was discouraged to hear about the pollution issues at a recent meeting of the newly formed East Side Environmental Justice Group. The group plans to hold its second meeting on July 30 at 6 p.m. at the East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St.

She sowed fruit trees and heirloom vegetables, and keeps chickens in her yard. She wants to know that her food is healthy and said she plans to not harvest any root vegetables this year after learning about the pollution concerns.

“To know that this particulate matter is settling on our home and on our yard is a concern,” she said.

Patricia Enstad, a social worker and member of the Payne-Phalen Community Council, said she feels angry about the court decision and the regulatory process that led to it. More should be done to help people living within blocks of the foundry, Enstad said, such as providing funding for air filters and supplementing electric bills.

“Every day that this goes on demonstrates a lack of compassion and a lack of ultimate concern for people who are there,” Enstad said.

Enstad feels that Northern Iron wants to tie up the issue in court and make it about jobs. The company packed a July 10 court hearing with workers and argued that the MPCA’s restrictions would force it to close. The company argued in court that ongoing air monitoring at the site has not detected emissions that exceed national standards and said it can operate in compliance with state law.

A spokesperson for Northern Iron said last week that the company has extended job offers to all 12 employees who were laid off under the MPCA’s order that reduced hours.