A South St. Paul rendering plant inspired a new Minnesota odor law

A South St. Paul rendering plant inspired a new Minnesota odor law

A written complaint lodged with the city of South St. Paul last Friday describes a foul, widespread odor: “Dead animal.” “Smells rancid all over the city,” the brief complaint says. “Almost unbearable to go outside.” It’s a common complaint in South St. Paul and nearby cities like Newport. And it’s why city officials have long clashed with a rendering plant owned by Sanimax that gets much of the blame. But despite local efforts to regulate smell…