State lawmakers grill MPCA about 3M chemicals

NBC 11 Minneapolis, Mark Daly
Published December 2, 2005

More troubling testimony about harmful chemicals and how the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, handled them. The commissioner of the MPCA was supposed to be part of Thursday's testimony at the state capitol. But Sheryl Corrigan refused to show. Lawmakers are conducting hearings on the handling of PFCs formerly used by 3M in the production of Scotchguard. The harmful chemical has been found near 3M's plant in Cottage Grove. Now, lawmakers want to know why the MPCA hasn't aggressively investigated the effects of the chemical on humans. For decades, the 3M plant in Cottage Grove dumped potentially hazardous chemicals, called PFCs, into the Mississippi River. That much is undisputed. "These materials were part of our manufacturing products that we made at 3M Cottage Grove and they were part of the waste stream," admits William Nelson of 3M. What is in question is whether state regulators aggressively investigated the problem or actively tried to protect 3M. For Oakdale resident Dale Case, the answer to that question is key, "This is the most important thing to those of us who are drinking that water." At a senate hearing on Thursday, two PCA scientists testified that 3M representatives put pressure on the agency not to test certain sites for the presence of toxic chemicals. "I've seen companies come in and object to studies that we require them to do and pay for, but this was unique. I haven't seen this happen where they object to a study that we're going to pay for," said MPCA scientist Don Kriens. MPCA supervisors deny they bowed to pressure from 3M. "3M doesn't tell us what to do, we are the regulator and we tell them what to do," argued MPCA Administrator Michael Kanner. But MPCA commissioner Sheryl Corrigan refused to appear at the hearing. Instead, her deputy read a statement, explaining Corrigan had recused herself because she used to work for 3M. "I have great respect for the legislative process and therefore it was a difficult decision to decline your invitation," read Deputy Commissioner Kristen Applegate. Meanwhile, those who drink water downstream from the plant fear political favors might make them sick Case says he's not interested in finger pointing, "I'm not interested in the politics of agencies. I'm only interested in protecting the daycare across the backyard." A spokesman for 3M says tests conducted by the company found that PFCs may be harmful to lab animals but not humans. Senator John Marty says he'll ask for more public input on the issue at future hearings.