Class action lawsuit filed by St. Paul woman against struggling metal foundry
A recent lawsuit has been filed accusing a metal foundry in St. Paul of causing excessive pollution that violates the property rights and wellbeing of its neighbors. Brittney Bruce, a resident of the East Side, initiated a class action lawsuit against Northern Iron and Machine, alleging that the foundry has neglected pollution standards.
Bruce’s attorney, Joe Heegaard, emphasized the frustration felt by many residents due to the lack of accountability from the facility. Situated in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, Northern Iron has been at odds with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) over its pollution levels. The state contends that Northern Iron’s own data indicates it cannot operate at full capacity without breaching national air quality standards. Despite this, the foundry claims that the MPCA violated their agreement by imposing restrictions in April 2024.
Owned by Lawtown Standard Company based in Wisconsin, Northern Iron declined to comment on the lawsuit citing ongoing legal proceedings. However, residents like Bruce are suffering from the repercussions of the pollution. Bruce is constantly cleaning dust and black particles from her home, which is directly across the street from Northern Iron. This pollution has also forced her to buy air purifiers for every room in her house. The lawsuit highlights how the foundry has not only devalued Bruce’s property but has also prevented her from earning rental income, causing significant financial losses.
The legal action seeks to hold Northern Iron accountable for negligence, nuisance, and trespassing, but does not specify a monetary figure for damages. Heegaard stressed that residents have a right to enjoy their properties without being harmed by external factors, like pollution from the foundry. Test results from the MPCA revealed heavy metals such as lead and cobalt in the soot deposited on nearby properties, indicating a direct link to Northern Iron’s operations.
The lawsuit argues that Northern Iron has a history of permit violations and excessive pollution, infringing on the rights of neighbors for years. The company allegedly knew about these violations without making sufficient efforts to rectify the situation. Heegaard emphasized the severity of the harms caused by the foundry, stating that community members rightfully feel frustrated by the ongoing pollution issues.
The class-action suit was recently filed, with plans to inform neighbors through various means, including press releases and mailers. Northern Iron has 21 days to respond to the lawsuit, and as of now, no hearings have been scheduled. Despite facing fines and legal battles over permit violations, the foundry continues to operate, with a temporary injunction allowing it to resume most operations while implementing additional pollution control measures.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen whether the lawsuit will bring justice to the affected residents and hold Northern Iron accountable for its alleged environmental violations. The community’s wellbeing and property rights hang in the balance as the battle against pollution continues in St. Paul.
