After continual violations by the CHS refinery in Laurel, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $100,000 fine for toxic pollution discharged into the Yellowstone River.

The fine is the maximum allowed under state law.

From June 2021 to January 2025, CHS failed 32 of 44 tests, which must be done at least monthly, examining the toxicity of the wastewater the refinery dumps into the nearby Yellowstone River, according to a summary of daily toxicity failures.

In a proposed Sept. 24 consent order, DEQ stated that CHS “had control over those permit violations, but did not take timely, reasonable precautions to prevent” those permit violations. Furthermore, the consent order stated CHS, a global agribusiness, should be aware of regulations and could have foreseen the vio

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