Target Corp. has paid a $27,500 fine and taken corrective action at two facilities in Brooklyn Park and Elk River after being alerted that diesel generators were producing excessive air emissions, state pollution control officials said Tuesday.
Target pays $27,500 fine for air-pollution violations
February 12, 2014 at 3:35AM
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) determined in January 2013 that the Minneapolis-based global retail giant failed to obtain state air emissions permits for the generators, which were installed to help provide electricity at the corporation's Brooklyn Park office campus and Elk River data center.
The company also failed to provide required annual emission reports for the Elk River center and did not provide updated annual emission reports for the Brooklyn Park campus, the agency added.
The violations were traced to technical miscalculations that caused the company to underestimate nitrogen oxide emissions, the MPCA added. When correctly calculated, the emissions exceeded the level at which the company would be required to obtain permits and provide emission reports.
Target brought the compliance problems to the attention of the MPCA.
Nitrogen oxide can cause respiratory problems and contribute to acid rain and smog.
While Target paid the fine and acted to comply with state emissions regulations, it did not acknowledge any wrongdoing, according to the "stipulation agreement" with the MPCA.
As part of the agreement, Target has obtained permits required for the generators and submitted updated emission inventory reports for the years 2010 and 2011 for its Brooklyn Park campus, off Hwy. 610, and for 2008 to 2012 for the Elk River data center, off Hwy. 10 on Waco Street.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
