MINNESOTA (From news reports) -- An engineered wood manufacturer located near Bemidji has been fined by the Minnesota Pollution Controlled Agency.

MPCA investigators say West Fraser paid a fine of $15,250 for air permit violations. The facility in Solway, just west of Bemidji, submitted carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide performance tests more than 100 days late and exceeded its hazardous air pollution limits from March 2023 to November 2023.

The MPCA adds that the facility took the following corrective actions to return to compliance:

• completed late tests
• submitted a new air permit