1 Million Gallons Of Coal Waste Spills From MN Power Plant

ITASCA, MN — One million gallons of wastewater spilled near a coal power plant in Cohasset, Minnesota on Tuesday, according to state officials. The wastewater has since flowed to Black Water Creek and into Black Water Lake.

Authorities believe the leak began from an underground pipe and surfaced where the pipe extends above ground.

The coal plant is owned and operated by Minnesota Power. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) are onsite and investigating.

Minnesota Power reported the incident at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday to the Minnesota Duty Officer, stating that a spill of coal wastewater was discovered at 11:15 a.m. but the spill was no longer active.

One million gallons were released into the soil and the adjacent Black Water Lake, the company estimates. Minnesota Power reported that the cause of the spill was a loss of pump pressure.

The MPCA told Patch Wednesday that its staff continue to investigate and work with the company, the U.S. EPA, and cleanup contractors to assess the situation and determine strategies to minimize impacts to the creek and lake.

Patch has reached out to Minnesota Power for comment.