MPCA OKs Air Permit For Taconite Plant Expansion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has approved an air pollution permit for an expansion at U.S. Steel's taconite plant in Keewatin.

The company is promising to control increased mercury emissions that will come from new production. But environmental groups contend the permit includes no guarantees that mercury pollution will be reduced.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports the permit does not include a specific limit on mercury. Instead, the MPCA will wait to see how well the company's controls work before it sets a restriction.

U.S. Steel officials plan to test a system -- used in power plants -- that captures mercury as it leaves the stacks.

The MPCA says it's confident the process will work. U.S. Steel hopes to start construction on the $300 million project late next year.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)