Minneapolis, MN
Smith Foundry in Minneapolis to shut down in August
![Smith Foundry in Minneapolis to shut down in August Smith Foundry in Minneapolis to shut down in August](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox9.com/www.fox9.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1280/720/smith-foundry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Mpls community meeting discusses pollution
A community meeting was held in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis on Monday to discuss pollution coming from a Smith Foundry building that’s in violation of the Clean Air Act.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Smith Foundry in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis announced it would close its doors after issues with air quality standards with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The full closure is set to happen by August 15, ending more than a century of operations at that location. Furnace melting and core making operations ended on Friday, according to Smith Foundry officials.
What we know
Smith Foundry leaders decided to shut the operation down after getting an ultimatum from MPCA. The foundry was told it must demonstrate that the company can meet federal standards set by the Clean Air Act or forgo an air quality permit.
The closing of the foundry brings about the end of a dispute between government regulators and Smith Foundry that spilled into public view last year.
Read more: Smith Foundry ordered to end some operations by EPA
Some people living in the East Phillips neighborhood made clear during community meetings that they wanted the foundry shut down.
What they’re saying
Smith Foundry officials say they were left with no choice because of the “unreasonable” demands made by MPCA related to the air permit.
President Smith Foundry Adolfo Quiroga released a statement on the foundry’s closing:
“”The MPCA had a chance to make these air permitting demands from the previous owner, Neil Ahlstrom, for decades which would have shut down the foundry a long time ago, but they didn’t. And then, when Zynik purchased Smith Foundry, the MPCA approved the transfer of the existing air permit without a single question and without expressing any concerns. They never informed us they had any concerns about the foundry, its operations, or its existence in the neighborhood, which has operated in Minneapolis for over one hundred years,” said Quiroga.
“Now, for reasons the MPCA did not provide and despite our compliance with all environmental laws and regulations and our commitment to alter our operations, significantly reduce emissions and save jobs in East Phillips, Minneapolis, and Minnesota, the MPCA is making unreasonable and unjustified demands through their arbitrary and opaque air permitting process that are essentially forcing us to close the furnace sooner than expected. They are in essence rejecting our agreement with the EPA. We are left with no other choice but to shut down the foundry. Unfortunately, our employees and their families will be impacted the most by this closure, which I deeply regret. I wish there was more we could do.”
The MPCA also released a statement regarding the closure:
“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s long-standing focus is to protect the environment and ensure the health and wellness of all Minnesotans, and we expect all companies in Minnesota to follow our environmental laws.
“The MPCA supported the EPA’s enforcement action with Smith Foundry and agreement, which requires the company to obtain a new air permit from the MPCA. Smith Foundry is located in an area of the state that demands additional information demonstrate that the company could operate while meeting air quality standards set by the Clean Air Act in order to receive an air quality permit. The company informed the agency today that it will shut down all operations by August 15, 2024, rather than provide information necessary for an operating air permit.
“The MPCA is committed to protecting the environment, health of Minnesotans, and the economic vitality of our neighborhoods and businesses. The agency regulates 55,000 facilities who hold environmental permits, including 2200 that hold air permits, that adhere to Minnesota’s strong environmental laws.”
Read more: Residents sound off at community meeting about Smith Foundry
During a community meeting co-hosted by the Minneapolis Pollution Control Agency and the East Phillips Improvement Coalition in November, a resident said “No matter what they are emitting, it’s killing us. It’s killing our children. You are supposed to be the one to help us and prevent this from happening and you are failing at your job.”
Background
Air quality concerns drove public outcry in November when residents complained about fumes and smoke plumes in the East Phillips neighborhood.
EPA officials said that after a surprise May 2023 inspection, they found the foundry violated the Clean Air Act by emitting fine particulates at twice the amount allowed since 2018. However, the MPCA rejected the EPA’s reported findings and said it hadn’t found any violations at the state or federal level.
The Smith Foundry later reached an enforcement agreement in June with the EPA that included ceasing some of its operations and paying an $80,000 fine.
Smith Foundry, which manufactures castings while providing geometric design and engineering services along with finishing work, has been operating in Minneapolis since 1923 and was purchased by Zynik Capital Corporation in December 2022.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Minneapolis, MN
Man fatally stabbed during Minneapolis house party, police say
![Man fatally stabbed during Minneapolis house party, police say Man fatally stabbed during Minneapolis house party, police say](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/12/22/6617f8dc-3f82-4e97-aa34-3c653ba5c1de/thumbnail/1200x630/fd5f9c9c092c07b260801c44387da148/raw-mon-shooting-englewood-ave-stp-boeke-00-03-5100.jpg?v=5501038cbc281520ff9fdc308faab7dc)
MINNEAPOLIS — A house party in Minneapolis took a violent turn early Sunday when a fight led to a fatal stabbing, police said.
Around 3:15 a.m., 911 callers on the 3400 block of Penn Avenue North said they were at a party and heard screaming. Officers responded and found a 31-year-old man with multiple stab wounds.
The man was taken to North Memorial Health, where he died. Police did not publicly identify him.
The stabbing is under investigation.
Minneapolis, MN
Two unrelated shootings in Minneapolis within 10 minutes; two suffer life-threatening injures
![Two unrelated shootings in Minneapolis within 10 minutes; two suffer life-threatening injures Two unrelated shootings in Minneapolis within 10 minutes; two suffer life-threatening injures](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/06/19/761a80b3-690c-468f-bd53-c0f81def2f65/thumbnail/1200x630/16cea8a3fac8dce9a76cf826b5bae360/gettyimages-1889004791-1.jpg?v=5501038cbc281520ff9fdc308faab7dc)
MINNNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating two different shootings that happened around 7 o’clock Saturday evening.
The first shooting happened near the 2600 block of 3rd Avenue South.
Officers were called to the scene on report of a shooting and found a man with life-threatening injuries. They provided CPR until EMS could arrive. The man was taken to Hennepin Healthcare.
The second shooting happened around 10 minutes later near the 2500 block of Cedar Avenue South.
A man was found near the 2600 block of Cedar Avenue South with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers provided medical aid before the victim was taken to Hennepin Healthcare.
Police say the man was walking on 2500 block of Cedar after meeting a group when he was shot. He then ran a block before he collapsed.
Police are investigating both shootings. An arrest has not been made in either shooting. Police say the two shootings do not appear to be related.
Minneapolis, MN
Boy, 15, hospitalized after drive-by shooting off Minneapolis’ Camden Avenue
![Boy, 15, hospitalized after drive-by shooting off Minneapolis’ Camden Avenue Boy, 15, hospitalized after drive-by shooting off Minneapolis’ Camden Avenue](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/27/ef8bca67-6e7a-47e0-aded-683e01f61f4a/thumbnail/1200x630/16fa5f01d902efc1abf574002d23ee1f/raw-fri-shooting-oak-grove-mpls-boeke-00-01-4104.jpg?v=5501038cbc281520ff9fdc308faab7dc)
MINNEAPOLIS — A 15-year-old boy is recovering after being shot late Friday night in Minneapolis.
Police say the victim showed up just before midnight at North Memorial Health with “non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.”
Investigators say someone inside a moving vehicle fired several shots at the boy while he was walking near North Camden and 48th avenues in the Lind-Bohanon neighborhood.
Police are still investigating and say no arrests have been made.
-
News1 week ago
RNC speakers want to separate the president from the person to show softer side of Trump
-
News1 week ago
Video: Young Republicans on Why Their Party Isn’t Reaching Gen Z (And What They Can Do About It)
-
World1 week ago
Civilians try to pick up daily life in Ukraine's East
-
World1 week ago
Freshers' week in Strasbourg for new EU lawmakers
-
News6 days ago
How the Trump Rally Gunman Had an Edge Over the Countersnipers
-
Politics1 week ago
Balance of Power: Trump singles out Nevada at RNC as he looks to flip state he lost twice
-
Politics1 week ago
Reporter's Notebook: 'Do not stop filming'
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump breaks out immigration chart shown right before assassination attempt: ‘Saved my life’