St. Paul, Minn. (March 23, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement addressing the Court of Appeals decision remanding the air permit for the PolyMet NorthMet Project back to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for more information:
“Today’s Court of Appeals ruling on PolyMet is unfortunate, given that PolyMet has done all the MPCA and other agencies have asked it to do – and more – through a tough regulatory review process. We’re increasingly concerned by court rulings that appear to effectively transfer regulatory authority to the judiciary from agencies long established under state statute and staffed with experienced experts in the scientific fields relevant to decisions, such as air permitting. We support PolyMet providing any information deemed necessary, but are concerned about the signal being sent to prospective investors in Minnesota as a result of such a prolonged regulatory and judicial process with no sense of predictable outcome, even when our state’s tough standards are met.
“We continue to look forward to the approximately 360 family-supporting jobs and estimated $515 million in annual revenue this project will bring to northeastern Minnesota communities, who need it now more than ever as they contend with the prospect of enormous losses related to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage PolyMet to stand strong with our allies in business, labor and communities who believe this project is right for Minnesota.”
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 55,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
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Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978