Minnesota Misses 2025 Mercury Reduction Goal

State authorities did not secure additional pollution controls for major taconite processing plants this year.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Environmental

Isometric editorial illustration of a tall industrial smokestack, depicting the regulatory failure regarding state mercury reduction goals. — Minnesota officials renewed air permits for major taconite processing plants without requiring updated mercury pollution controls, missing state reduction targets for 2025. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should states mandate stricter pollution controls on local industrial plants even if companies claim it is infeasible?

Minnesota failed to meet its established mercury reduction goal for state waters in 2025. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently issued air permits for two major industrial facilities without requiring updated pollution controls.

Why it matters

The failure to hit these targets highlights ongoing challenges in managing mercury levels, which are critical for water safety. The decision allows facilities responsible for significant local emissions to operate without new technology upgrades.

The 2007 benchmark aimed to make 75% of state waters safe for fish through mercury reduction. Currently, the taconite industry accounts for more than half of all mercury released into the air from sources located inside Minnesota.

The players

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

This state agency is responsible for monitoring environmental quality and issuing air permits for industrial facilities across Minnesota.

U.S. Steel

This major steel producer owns and operates the Minntac and Keetac taconite facilities located on the Minnesota Iron Range.

The details

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency renewed air permits for the Minntac plant in Mountain Iron and the Keetac plant in Keewatin despite not mandating new control equipment. U.S. Steel, which owns both facilities, argues that additional controls are not feasible and suggests mercury deposition from outside state borders is a more significant factor.

Minnesota set the mercury reduction benchmark in 2007.
The state missed its mercury reduction goal in 2025.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reviewed air permits for taconite plants in recent months.

The Big Picture

This development represents a departure from the goals established by the 2007 Minnesota mercury reduction benchmark. It highlights the difficulty in aligning industrial permitting processes with long-term environmental objectives for state water quality.

The lack of new pollution controls at major plants means emissions levels will not decrease as originally planned for the state. Residents who rely on local fishing may see continued concerns regarding the safety of fish consumption in impacted waters.

The takeaway

Achieving environmental goals often requires balancing industrial feasibility with public health protections. Residents can check local fish consumption advisories to understand how water quality trends impact their personal activities.