State pollution control officials have taken 20 enforcement actions against ethanol plants in the past six years for air or water pollution, including six plants that were cited more than once. Here are the five largest penalties.PlantCityPenalty YearViolation
Ethanol plant penalties in Minnesota
April 21, 2012 at 1:31AM
Minnesota EnergyBuffalo Lake$1,150,0002009Water
Corn Plus*Winnebago$1,041,0002009Air
Bushmills EthanolAtwater$ 800,000 2012Water/air
Corn Plus*Winnebago$ 760,0002011Water
Bushmills EthanolAtwater$ 425,0002009Water/air
* includes federal and state penalties. Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Star Tribune research
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Pending sales were up double digits for the first time this year.
