St. Paul, Minn. (June 14, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to today’s Minnesota Court of Appeals decision to affirm the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (MPUC) issuance of the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Route Permit:
“Today, we stand in support of the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision affirming MPUC’s authority and the scientific record of the Line 3 Replacement Project. The Court noted the extensive process, the extent of public input and the diligent work of the MPUC in reviewing this project. We thank the appeals commission for its reviews and the MPUC for upholding the Certificate of Need, Route Permit and EIS time after time.
“The Line 3 Replacement Project is the most thoroughly reviewed project in Minnesota’s history. It was thoroughly reviewed for over 6 years, amounting to 70 opportunities for public comment and a 13,500-page EIS backed by science and upheld by multiple courts and agencies.
“It’s time Minnesotans accept the court ruling and agency decisions and come together as a state to support the remaining construction of this nearly $4 billion investment in the state’s energy infrastructure. Most importantly, the project replaces an aging pipeline and will better protect Minnesota’s environment for generations.
“There are now 4,000 workers constructing and relying on Line 3 for employment and health benefits. Minnesota communities all along the corridor are reaping the benefits of construction and many small businesses have rebounded quickly from the economic downturn of the pandemic due to this project. We urge all of those following this project to support a safe and respectful work environment for these workers and the communities along the corridor.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
###
Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (June 10, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans joins its thousands of members who strongly condemn the dangerous and unacceptable actions taken this week by Line 3 protestors in the vandalism and destruction of equipment and environmental protections at an Enbridge pump station. We value the safety of surrounding communities, workers and the lands and environment impacted by these actions, and urge lawmakers and enforcers not to allow criminal acts like these to continue.
The Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project went through a thorough and rigorous 6-year review and all permits have been obtained and upheld through the process outline by law. While we deeply respect the right to peacefully protest, the project’s workforce should be able to do their job in a safe environment, without worries of the impacts of drastic measures taken by those who choose not to pursue lawful means in making their concerns heard.
ENBRIDGE STATEMENT: PROTESTORS DESTROY ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS AND DAMAGE CONTRACTOR EQUIPMENT
Damage to the Two Inlet Pump Station includes extensive vandalism of contractor equipmnent, construction trailers broken into, and the destruction of environmental safeguards intended to control erosion and protect water quality. While we respect everyone’s right to peacefully and lawfully protest, that is not what happened on Monday at the Two Inlets Pump Station. Protesters attempted to trap workers while forcefully entering and then occupying the site, tresspassing and criminally damaging property. This is unacceptable, and we will seek the full prosecution of all involved.
Safety is our first priority, and to that end workers evacuated from the site, including employees of Native-owned contractor Gordon Construction from the White Earth Reservation. Over 500 native workers are part of the Line 3 workforce. The project is already providing significant economic benefits for counties, small businesses, Native American communities, and union members – including creating 5,200 family-sustaining construction jobs, and millions of dollars in local spending and tax revenues.
This project is about safety and we remain fully committed to its timely completion. The protest affected work at just this site, and construction continued yesterday and today across dozens of worksites in the five construction zones that stretch across northern Minnesota. To date, protests have had little impact on the project’s construction schedule which is on track to be completed and in service in the fourth quarter of this year. Enbridge operations were unaffected.
Many of the groups involved in the Treaty People Gathering were parties to the regulatory and permitting process, and during the past six years have repeatedly provided input that was heard and acted upon. We hoped all parties would come to accept the outcome of the thorough, science-based review and multiple approvals of the project, which included 70 public comment meetings, appellate review and reaffirmation of a 13,500-page EIS, four separate reviews by administrative law judges, 320 route modifications in response to stakeholder input, and reviews and approvals from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (The only Tribe with “Treatment as a State” water quality authority along the pipeline route). In fact, leadership of the two reservations crossed by existing Line 3 have expressed their support for project permits.
Damage on site includes slashed tires, cut hoses, rocks and dirt in engines, forced entry into offices, destroyed electrical wiring in equipment.
For more information, updated construction footage and photos click here.
###
Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (June 4, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following the determination by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the PolyMet NorthMet project may affect water quality of the Fond du Lac reservation and the state of Wisconsin:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is deeply disappointed in and disagrees with today’s determination by the EPA on the PolyMet project. This ultimately could delay a critical project for the region of northeast Minnesota, our state and country. If there is an evidentiary hearing, we strongly urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move expeditiously.
“It’s important to distinguish that the EPA’s decision does not say that PolyMet will affect the downstream water quality, only that an “affect may be possible.” We are confident the 16-year scientific record from the thorough environmental review of the project will stand.
“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency previously certified the project’s treated water met water quality standards under the Clean Water Act at discharge. This EPA decision does not specifically overturn that science, it merely speculates that it “may affect” communities more than 100 river miles downstream from the project.
“We encourage supporters of responsible industry to stay strong as we wait for this and other issues in the court to be resolved related to the PolyMet project. We will continue the fight for this project that is incredibly important to the future of our northeast Minnesota communities, state, and country.
“The PolyMet NorthMet project is expected to provide 360 family-sustaining jobs to northeast Minnesota, a region current experiencing severe economic disparities and unemployment rates compared to the Twin Cities. The project will also be the first in Minnesota to mine metals needed for the growing demand of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and other climate change solutions. Now more than ever, it is critical we secure the ability to mine these metals domestically, where these projects are held to the highest environmental and labor standards in the world.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
###
Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (April 28, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s Minnesota Supreme Court rulings which overturned the Minnesota Court of Appeals’ decision regarding the PolyMet NorthMet project’s dam safety permits and required additional process on a narrow issue relating to the permit to mine. The decision also affirms the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) regulatory authority regarding permitting processes:
“Today’s ruling on the PolyMet permits supplies the confidence that this project will move forward. Jobs for Minnesotans stands firm in our belief that responsible industries can both create family-sustaining jobs and investment in our state’s economy, while also protecting the environment.We encourage the company and the MDNR to move quickly to address the matters identified by the Court. We believe that the scientific record will support the project design and affirm the science and technology underlying over 16 years of environmental review.
“In its decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld – with one narrow exception – the multi-year, multi-agency review process conducted to ensure environmental standards will be met, and also the expertise and trust of the dedicated MDNR professionals to do their job. For this reason, this ruling is important to all responsible industrial projects looking to invest and bring jobs to Minnesota, even those beyond non-ferrous mining.
“The courts on seven other cases have upheld PolyMet’s extensive scientific record and permitting process. While we wait on the rulings of remaining court challenges for the project, this is another positive step forward for PolyMet after 16 years of regulatory review and we encourage all supporters to remain strong and hopeful as we look forward to the construction of this project.
“The PolyMet NorthMet project is expected to provide 360 family-sustaining jobs to northeast Minnesota, a region currently experiencing severe economic disparities and unemployment rates compared to the Twin Cities metro area. The project will also be the first in Minnesota to mine nonferrous metals needed for the growing demand of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles and other climate change solutions. Now more than ever, it is critical we secure the ability to mine these metals domestically, where these projects are held to the highest environmental and labor standards in the world.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
###
Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (March 26, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans, along with MiningMinnesota and Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS), released the below joint statement in response to Senator Smith’s letter today to the secretaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Interior (USDI) that asked to finish a mineral segregation and withdrawal study for Rainy River Watershed in northeast Minnesota:
“We are deeply concerned about this proposed mineral withdrawal and segregation action given the importance of these minerals to the security of our country’s supply chain and transition to a low-carbon future. In 2017 and today, this study is simply a back-door attempt to block even the consideration of copper-nickel mining projects across a vast area of northeastern Minnesota. Every mine proposal is unique and specific to its leases, location and mining methods. Every geological deposit the proposal sits on is different. We need to trust our government institutions and agencies to analyze each project based on science and facts in a predictable and fair way through the processes already in place.”
“You cannot have electric vehicles, solar panels or windmills without the minerals that are located in northeast Minnesota. Ninety-five percent of the U.S. nickel reserves and 88 percent of U.S. cobalt reserves are located here in northeast Minnesota. We as a country cannot just shut out an industry in one breath and then expect we have the ability to make this critical green transition in another.
“The citizens of Minnesota represented by our organizations deserve the opportunity for responsible industries to proceed through the robust environmental review process as outlined by law and potentially bring high-quality, family-sustaining jobs to the state. That includes companies currently exploring mining in the Duluth Complex located in the region outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness set aside for mining.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
About MiningMinnesota
MiningMinnesota is an industrial trade organization made up of all nonferrous exploration and mineral development companies in Minnesota, along with approximately 100 supplier and vendor businesses, all committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible copper-nickel and PGM mineral development and mining in Minnesota. For more information, visit miningminnesota.com.
About Range Association of Municipalities and Schools
Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) represents more than 78,000 residents and 57 public sector units of government, including 27 cities, 16 public school districts and 14 townships, in the 13,000 square mile Taconite Assistance Area (TAA) of northeast Minnesota. As an organization, RAMS has represented the interests of the Iron Range region for over 80 years. For more information, visit ramsmn.org.
###
Media Contacts:
Nancy Norr, Board Chair
Jobs for Minnesotans
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
Frank Ongaro, Executive Director
MiningMinnesota
218-393-2301
fongaro@miningminnesota.com
Steve Giorgi, President
Range Association of Municipalities and Schools
218-780-8877
SGiorgi@ramsmn.org