Highwater Ethanol fined $150,000 for pollution

A southwest Minnesota ethanol plant agreed to pay a $150,000 fine and take corrective action after the state found numerous violations of its pollution permits, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced Thursday. Opened in August 2009, Highwater Ethanol LLC in Lamberton repeatedly dumped unpermitted waste into a storage pond, the state said. The pond was filled beyond its capacity, the MPCA said, and the company spread the waste on cropland, both of which posed a threat to groundwater and surface water. The MPCA also ordered the company to regularly monitor air emissions, keep proper records and comply with terms of its air-quality permit. Read the full announcement here.