EPA Announces Settlement with Smith Foundry to Cease Furnace and Casting Operations within 12 Months and Pay $80,000
Contact Information: Macy Pressley (pressley.macy@epa.gov), 312-886-1443
CHICAGO (June 4, 2024) -- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Smith Foundry to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its iron foundry in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Within the next 12 months, the company will shut down its furnace and casting processes and convert to a metal finishing facility, which will drastically reduce emissions. The foundry will also pay an $80,000 penalty.
?Shutting down the furnace and casting operations is a win for this community, which has been historically disenfranchised and overburdened by pollution,? said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. ?East Phillips residents deserve to breathe clean air and to live in a healthy, thriving community.?
?The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency remains committed to ensuring clean air for all Minnesotans and working collaboratively with the EPA toward that goal,? said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. ?This settlement is an important step toward protecting the health and well-being of residents in the East Phillips community. The MPCA remains invested in the community and will monitor, in partnership with the EPA, ongoing emissions from Smith Foundry and air quality in the East Phillips neighborhood to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. We will conti