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VOL. 125 NO. 19 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
WHITE BEAR SCHOOLS: Enrollment down amid pandemic PAGE 18
State agency criticized for inept handling of Water Gremlin BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER
at a time when the company reported its actual emissions of trichloroethST. PAUL — The Minnesoylene (TCE), a hazardous ta Pollution Control Agency air pollutant, were 23 (MPCA) “could have and times a federal threshold should have” taken actions defi ning a major source before 2019 to properly regof pollution,” according to ulate Water Gremlin, conthe report. MPCA never recluded a report issued last sponded to the application. Thursday by the Office of the In fact, Water Gremlin did Legislative Auditor (OLA). not receive its fi rst permit In his 64-page report of until 2000, only after it subthe agency’s permitting mitted another application and enforcement activities in 1999. “So for several years, regarding the White Bear MPCA simply did not reguTownship manufacturer, late Water Gremlin’s hazJoel Alter, OLA’s director of special reviews, said he found ardous air emissions,” Alter wrote. “significant weaknesses.” The audiThere tor’s office, were other which opmissteps, erates as a as well. In nonpartisan 2002, MPCA leg i sl ative approved watchdog, an amended was requestair qualied by Sen. ty permit Roger Chamthat did not berlain and adequately Joel Alter the Neighcontrol TCE. Office of Legislative Auditor borhood ConAccording to cerned the report, Citizen’s Group (NCCG) the permit contained some back in 2019 to investigate “inadequate provisions” that MPCA’s handling of Water remained in effect for many Gremlin. That was the same years. year the agency entered into For instance, amended a stipulation agreement with language did not recognize Water Gremlin related to that Water Gremlin would be alleged longstanding violareusing TCE and only placed tions of the company’s air explicit limits on purchases, quality permit. The company not overall use, of the chemagreed to abide by various ical. The company was also requirements specified in required to conduct only one the agreement and pay a $4.5 performance test to ensure million penalty. new pollution control equip“We cannot be certain ment was controlling at least that MPCA actions would 95% of emissions. MPCA did have prevented the problems not require subsequent tests identified in the agreement even after the equipment had or enabled MPCA to interto be repaired and rebuilt, vene sooner, but there were twice. “The equipment did missed opportunities on not meet a required level MPCA’s part,” Alter said. of efficiency for at least a One of those “missed decade,” Alter said. opportunities” went back The OLA director indito 1995 when Water Gremcated that compliance and lin fi rst applied for an air SEE MPCA, PAGE 15 quality permit. “That was
“By bringing this to the public’s attention, we are trying to hold MPCA’s feet to the fire.”
Ice sculpture hunt celebrates ‘the Minnesota winter we all know and love’ BY ELIZABETH CALLEN SHOREVIEW EDITOR
The weather outside may be frightful, but organizers of a new event hope that the opportunity to track down unique ice sculptures will incentivize people to get out and about through the rest of February. White Bear Lake will join other cities throughout the greater Twin Cities in the Ice Sculpture Exploration, which runs Friday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 28. The brand-new event is a self-guided tour of more than 30 ice sculptures, which have been placed at business-
es, restaurants, parks, landmarks and other locations throughout the metro area. All of the ice sculptures are hand-carved and range in size and shape from 2 to 8 feet tall. They feature a wide range of subjects. The Ice Sculpture Exploration is the result of a partnership between GetKnit Events and Minnesota Ice Sculptures. Organizers hope that the event will help create a sense of togetherness among participants and give local businesses a much-needed boost in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. SEE ICE SCULPTURES, PAGE 14
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A staff member from Minnesota Ice Sculptures carves one of the pieces for the Ice Sculpture Exploration.