Subdivision 1. Authority of commissioner. (a) The agency may refuse to issue or to authorize the transfer of:
(1) a hazardous waste facility permit or a solid waste facility permit to construct or operate a commercial waste facility as defined in section 115A.03, subdivision 6, if the agency determines that the permit applicant does not possess sufficient expertise and competence to operate the facility in conformance with the requirements of this chapter and chapters 114C and 116, or if other circumstances exist that demonstrate that the permit applicant may not operate the facility in conformance with the requirements of this chapter and chapters 114C and 116; or
(2) an animal feedlot facility permit, under section 116.07, subdivision 7, to construct or operate an animal feedlot facility, if the agency determines that the permit applicant does not possess sufficient expertise and competence to operate the feedlot facility in conformance with the requirements of this chapter and chapter 116 or if other circumstances exist that demonstrate that the permit applicant may not operate the feedlot facility in conformance with the requirements of this chapter and chapter 116.
(b) In making a determination under paragraph (a), the agency may consider:
(1) the experience of the permit applicant in constructing or operating commercial waste facilities or animal feedlot facilities;
(2) the expertise of the permit applicant;
(3) the past record of the permit applicant in operating commercial waste facilities or animal feedlot facilities in Minnesota and other states;
(4) any criminal convictions of the permit applicant in state or federal court during the past five years that bear on the likelihood that the permit applicant will operate the facility in conformance with the applicable requirements of this chapter and chapters 114C and 116; and
(5) in the case of a corporation or business entity, any criminal convictions in state or federal court during the past five years of any of the permit applicant's officers, partners, or facility managers that bear on the likelihood that the facility will be operated in conformance with the applicable requirements of this chapter and chapters 114C and 116.
Subd. 2. Permit applicant. For purposes of this section, a permit applicant includes a natural person, a partnership and its owners, and a corporation and its parent.
Subd. 3. Investigation. The commissioner may conduct an investigation to assist in making determinations under subdivision 1. The reasonable costs of any investigation must be paid by the permit applicant.
Subd. 4. Notice of permit denial. The agency may not refuse to issue or transfer a permit under this section without first providing the permit applicant with the relevant information and with an opportunity to respond by commenting on the information and submitting additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the conviction, corrective measures to prevent recurrence, the applicant's rehabilitation, and technical and managerial experience. In making a final decision on the permit, the agency shall consider the permit applicant's response prior to making a final decision on the permit.
Subd. 5. Hearing. If the agency proposes to deny a permit under this section, the permit applicant may request a hearing under chapter 14. The permit applicant may request that the hearing be held under Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8510 to 1400.8612.
1991 c 347 art 1 s 6; 1996 c 437 s 19; 1998 c 401 s 39
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection
Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts
Section 115.03 — Powers And Duties.
Section 115.035 — External Peer Review Of Water Quality Standards.
Section 115.04 — Disposal Systems And Point Sources.
Section 115.05 — Judicial Review.
Section 115.061 — Duty To Notify; Avoiding Water Pollution.
Section 115.063 — Hazardous And Radioactive Waste; Policy To Protect Potable Water.
Section 115.065 — Disposal Prohibited.
Section 115.067 — Below-grade Disposal Systems; Prohibition; Exception.
Section 115.069 — Radionuclide Pollution; High-level Nuclear Waste Depository.
Section 115.07 — Violations And Prohibitions.
Section 115.071 — Enforcement.
Section 115.072 — Recovering Litigation Costs And Expenses.
Section 115.073 — Enforcement Funding.
Section 115.075 — Information And Monitoring.
Section 115.076 — Background Of Permit Applicants.
Section 115.08 — Interpretation.
Section 115.09 — Citation; Water Pollution Control Act.
Section 115.1701 — Definitions.
Section 115.1703 — Ballast Water; Management Plan.
Section 115.1705 — Ballast Water Record Book.
Section 115.1707 — Consultation And Cooperation.
Section 115.42 — Policy; Long-range Plan; Purpose.
Section 115.425 — Noningested Sources; Phosphorus Reduction Goal.
Section 115.44 — Classification Of Waters; Standards Of Quality And Purity.
Section 115.449 — Public Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Proposal Requirements.
Section 115.455 — Effluent Limitations; Compliance.
Section 115.456 — Compliance Schedules.
Section 115.46 — Taxation By Municipality.
Section 115.48 — Agency Assuming Power.
Section 115.49 — Cooperation Between Municipalities; Contracts.
Section 115.50 — Towns; Powers To Act.
Section 115.51 — Enforcing Contracts Between Municipalities.
Section 115.52 — Severability.
Section 115.53 — Modifying Classification Or Standards.
Section 115.542 — Notice Requirements For Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Facilities.
Section 115.55 — Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems.
Section 115.56 — Mandatory Licensing Program.
Section 115.57 — Loan Program; Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems And Wells.
Section 115.58 — Alternative Discharging Sewage Systems; General Permits.
Section 115.61 — Authority Of District.
Section 115.62 — Board; Membership; Term; Quorum; Officers; Compensation.
Section 115.63 — Manager Authority; Employees.
Section 115.64 — Acquiring Property.
Section 115.65 — Purpose; Duties Of District; Annexing Territory.
Section 115.66 — Severability.
Section 115.73 — Certification Required.