"Federal pollution authorities have quietly stepped in to help Minnesota force a huge sugar beet processor near Renville to end its long history of fouling streams that lead to the state's most troubled river.

Southern Minnesota Sugar Beet Cooperative has tangled repeatedly with the state Pollution Control Agency (PCA) over its processing plant near the Minnesota River, and it has been fined numerous times in the past 15 years for air and water quality violations.

Now, in an unusual step, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken the lead on legal action against the farmer-owned co-op and has initiated a discussion with executives about what it will take to address its chronic problems.

Co-op officials did not respond to requests for an interview for this story."

Josephine Marcotty reports for the Minneapolis Star Tribune May 7, 2011.
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