as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/12/2019 04:08pm
A bill for an act
relating to environment; providing for disposition of fines for certain
trichloroethylene emissions; creating an account; creating stakeholder group;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 115B.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) For purposes of this section and section 115B.56, the
terms in this subdivision have the meanings given.
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(b) "Settlement" means the stipulation agreement entered into on March 1, 2019, to
resolve alleged unlawful TCE emissions by Water Gremlin Company.
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(c) "TCE" means trichloroethylene.
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(d) "TCE area of concern" includes the area in and near White Bear Township affected
by unlawful emissions of TCE, as determined by the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency.
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The TCE emission response account is established as an account
in the environmental fund. The account consists of the net proceeds of the civil penalty paid
to the Pollution Control Agency as part of the settlement and earnings on the investment of
money in the account. Money in the account may be invested through the State Board of
Investment.
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Subject to appropriation by the legislature, money in the account
may be spent to assess and address the effects of unlawful emissions of TCE in the TCE
area of concern.
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The commissioner must work with stakeholders to identify and recommend to the
legislature projects to receive funding from the TCE emission response account. Stakeholders
include, at a minimum, local governments located in or near the TCE area of concern, elected
officials representing areas located in or near the TCE area of concern, individuals and
businesses located in or near the TCE area of concern, and Water Gremlin Company.
Stakeholder recommendations may include recommendations regarding:
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(1) the broad purposes or specific projects for which money in the TCE emission response
account should be appropriated;
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(2) the need for additional testing, investigations, or research;
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(3) ways to improve communication between state and federal officials and local
governments, citizens, and businesses when hazardous chemicals are actually or potentially
released into a community;
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(4) policy or law changes that would facilitate a better response to future releases of
hazardous chemicals; and
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(5) any other matter the stakeholders deem relevant.
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