Minnesota high court rejects ‘sham’ Clean Air Act permit appeal

A recent ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court rejects environmentalists’ argument that the state’s pollution control agency is obligated to investigate allegations of “sham permitting” when an industry applicant first seeks a “synthetic minor” air permit that is weaker than a “major source” permit under the Clean Air Act. In its Feb. 24 unanimous opinion In the Matter of Issuance of Air Emissions Permit No. 13700345-101 for PolyMet Mining, Inc., City of Hoyt Lakes, St. Louis County, Minnesota, the...