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Freeborn County Cooperative Oil Company failed to install and upgrade equipment compatible with the fuels it was storing at seven of its convenience stores in Freeborn and Mower counties, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency enforcement investigation.

MPCA staff inspections in April confirmed the company failed to install the ethanol-compatible equipment at all seven facilities. In 2019, the MPCA had required this work to be completed prior to the inspections earlier this year. The facilities in violation of tank requirements are located at the following:

• 1820 Margaretha Ave., Albert Lea, Freeborn County
• 302 E. Clark St., Albert Lea, Freeborn County
• 21113 810th Ave., Hayward, Freeborn County
• 125 Northstar Road, Alden, Freeborn County
• 105 Fifth St., Freeborn, Freeborn County
• 14 E. Main St., Adams, Mower County
• 21604 State Highway 56, Austin, Mower County

Violations confirmed by the MPCA included failing to:

• Submit cathodic protection results to MPCA.
• Install a drop tube on one tank at one location.
• Install equipment compatible with E-85 (pumps, underground piping, dispensers, filters).
• Test a tank cathodic-protection system every three years at one location.
• Check automatic tank gauge release detection equipment annually.
• Conduct interstitial monitoring on the E-85 underground tank at one location.
• Test automatic line leak detectors annually and line tightness monthly at four locations.
• Install electronic line leak detectors at two locations.

In addition to paying the $33,850 civil penalty, Freeborn County Cooperative Oil Co. completed a series of corrective actions to bring all seven facilities into compliance with tank requirements.

MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities. When companies do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.

When calculating penalties, the MPCA considers how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations. The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.