Woodbury, Stillwater Lawmakers Praise 3M Settlement

On Tuesday 3M reached an $850 million settlement with the state of Minnesota regarding water contaminated with perflurocarbons (PFC) in the East Metro. Rep. Kathy Lohmer, R-Stillwater, Rep. Kelly Fenton, R-Woodbury, Rep. Keith Franke, R-St. Paul Park, and Rep. Tony Jurgens, R-Cottage Grove, issued the following joint statement regarding the settlement:

“As legislators in the affected areas, this settlement will help bring peace-of-mind to local residents. While we have yet to receive details on the settlement, we hope these settlement dollars will be used to pay for needed water quality improvements and ongoing maintenance in the affected communities, as well as reimbursements for costs communities have paid out of their own pockets associated with PFC contamination. For decades, 3M has been a significant member of our communities, and this settlement shows their continued willingness to do right by Minnesotans.”

Under the terms of the settlement, 3M will provide an $850 million grant to the State for a special "3M Grant for Water Quality and Sustainability Fund." The fund will go to projects that support water sustainability in the Twin Cities East Metro.

Read more: 3M To Pay $850 Million To Settle Suit Over Chemical Disposal

Photo credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone