The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined a company that operates an industrial process furnace and oven manufacturing facility in Lakeville $95,000 for violations that span more than three decades, according to a Thursday news release from the MPCA.
Despatch Industries Limited Partnership told the MPCA in 2013 that it hadn't had the proper permits to operate three paint booths for 32 years, according to the release. The MPCA lists several other violations, including exceeding a federal air pollution emission limit.
The company's senior operations director, Frank Davidson, declined to comment on the violations.
Despatch signed a stipulation agreement with the MPCA earlier this month in which it agrees to pay the fine by March 6, but doesn't admit to the violations.
Despatch switched two of its three wet paint guns to a low-emissions powder coating process to reduce emissions, the release said.
Anne Millerbernd is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.
Anne Millerbernd • 651-308-7126
