An agreement has been reached between Smith Foundry and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA alleges that the iron foundry, which is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, violated the Clean Air Act. The agency conducted a surprise inspection of the foundry in May 2023 and found that the company was not properly operating its pollution control equipment, did not maintain required records, and exceeded particulate matter emission limits for its industrial process equipment.
Per the agreement, Smith Foundry has 12 months to shut down its furnace and casting processes and convert to a metal finishing facility. This transition includes immediately shutting down two of the foundry’s pouring and cooling lines and limiting the total amount of liquid metal poured at the remaining lines to 2,884 tons before they are shut down. According to the EPA, this change will drastically reduce emissions at the facility. Smith Foundry will also have to pay an $80,000 penalty.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore said, “Shutting down the furnace and casting operations is a win for this community, which has been historically disenfranchised and overburdened by pollution. East Phillips residents deserve to breathe clean air and to live in a healthy, thriving community.”
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Katrina Kessler added, “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency remains committed to ensuring clean air for all Minnesotans and working collaboratively with the EPA toward that goal. 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 continue to engage with and communicate frequently with residents."
EPA in the news
EPA finalizes standards to reduce pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants
The department hopes these rules will reduce climate, air, water, and land pollution from the power sector.
EPA issues stronger clean air standard for chemical plants
The rule will affect approximately 200 plants that make synthetic organic chemicals and a variety of polymers and resins.
Scrap metal facility fined $145K for failing to control stormwater runoff and violating the Clean Water Act
This uncontrolled runoff could result in the Kansas River becoming polluted.
Learn more about the foundry industry
Lay the Foundation of Your Foundry's Future
When it comes to developing a foundry system, you deserve top-of-the-line equipment and a readily available service team. That’s why GK Systems is here to help you build an efficient foundry system to maximize returns on your investment.
New Heating Concept Makes Coremaking More Efficient
Maintaining air and gas temperatures at a high level improves the productivity and environmental impact of conventional cold-box coremaking operations.
4-Step Guide to Eliminating Bottlenecks in Your Foundry Cleaning Room
4 Steps to Maximize Your Foundry Cleaning Room.