United Taconite fined $23K by MPCA for violating air permit

EVELETH — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined United Taconite $22,980 for an air permit violation at the company’s Fairlane plant near Forbes, south of Eveleth.

In October 2024, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff members discovered the iron ore pellet producer had failed to verify its particulate matter emissions remained in compliance in November 2023.

Per its permit requirements, United Taconite must routinely check its emissions to remain within regulation. Companies are responsible for conducting the required testing.

According to an MPCA news release from Monday, Aug. 24, United Taconite paid the fine and submitted a plan outlining how it will adhere to air permit testing requirements in the future.

United Taconite's owner, Cleveland Cliffs, disagreed with the fine in a statement provided to multiple outlets.

"Coal combustion on the Line 1 furnace ceased in April 2022 – more than a year before the 2023 testing deadline. Simply put, United Taconite could not conduct a coal-specific particulate matter stack test when it was no longer burning coal," the statement said.

The MPCA determines penalties based on factors including the seriousness of the violation, the potential human or environmental harm and the possible financial benefits accrued from non-compliance.

Penalty payments support the agency in its efforts to protect the environment from pollution, MPCA said in the release.