SAINT PAUL, MN – Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) has called on the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) to review concerns surrounding the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision-making regarding the development of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued to PolyMet in December, 2018.
“The allegations made regarding the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s handling of the PolyMet NPDES water permit require an independent, nonpartisan, third party investigation into the agency to ensure the public’s trust in our state’s ability to protect water quality and the environment," said Rep. Hansen, Chair of the Legislative Audit Commission.
The OLA is the professional, nonpartisan audit and evaluation office within the legislative branch of Minnesota state government. It has broad investigative authority.
Rep. Hansen also serves as the chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. Rep. Hansen does not plan on calling any legislative hearings in the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division on this issue.
“The Legislative Auditor will proceed with a thorough review immediately.”