In what many believe to be the largest environmental settlement in Minnesota state history, 3M and the state of Minnesota reached a financial settlement in the amount of $850 million on Tuesday.
The lawsuit claims 3M knew the perfluorochemicals they used in their products would cause contamination to the drinking water in the east metro areas.
The funds will be used to finance drinking water and water sustainability projects in the east metro area.
Governor Dayton issued the following statement in response to the settlement agreement. “This settlement is an enormously important advance to protect the health of over 67,000 Minnesotans in our East Metro area, who deserve clean and safe drinking water. I thank Attorney General Lori Swanson for her long and exceptionally hard work to obtain this settlement. Her success will greatly strengthen the protection of the region’s water quality for present and future residents. I am also mindful that this settlement comes at the expense of a great Minnesota company, 3M, whose many positive contributions to our state and our citizens greatly exceed these unfortunate circumstances. I look forward to resuming our cordial working relationship and supporting 3M’s continued success for many years to come.”
John Banovetz, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at 3M, issued the following statement. “As many of you know, 3M has called Minnesota home for more than 115 years. Our 16,000 employees touch countless lives through our business, innovations and community investments.
I am pleased that we have reached a resolution in the State’s lawsuit against 3M relating to the presence of certain PFCs in the environment.
This agreement reflects 3M’s long-standing commitment to always acting with integrity and conducting business in an ethical and sustainable way. While we have never believed there is a PFC-related health issue, this agreement allows us to move past this litigation and work together with the state on activities and projects to benefit the environment and our communities.
We will partner with the State to continue our investment on sustainability. 3M will establish the “3M Grant for Water Quality and Sustainability” to enable projects that support water sustainability in the Twin Cities East Metro region, such as continued delivery of water to residents and enhancing groundwater recharge to support sustainable growth. These projects will also result in habitat and recreation improvements, such as fishing piers, trails, and open space preservation.
These actions exemplify 3M’s long history of environmental stewardship, which includes already funding more than $100 million in projects to reduce the presence of PFCs in the environment.
Most importantly, we will continue to operate as we always have – with our focus on what is in the best interest of all who live and work in Minnesota and every other community in which we operate.”
