Walz considering 30-day permit hold on Northern Metals as massive fire continues burning in Becker

Governor Tim Walz says he’s considering a 30-day hold on Northern Metals’ recycling permit as a massive fire continues burning at its facility in Becker, midway between Saint Cloud and the Twin Cities. Walz told an audience at a U-of-M forum this morning he does not trust Northern Metals to do the right thing. State Senator Andrew Mathews, whose district includes Becker, says “Northern Metals is fully cooperating with the state fire investigation, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and their local public health officials.” The Milaca Republican adds “an arbitrary 30-day hold on permitting from the state is irresponsible and an overreaction.” The Becker Police Department says initial tests found no hazardous chemicals in the air. The state Pollution Control Agency ordered Northern Metals to stop accepting scrap metal at its Becker facility, and halt stockpiling of cars at its north Minneapolis property after inspectors found violations there.