St. Paul, Minn. (June 6, 2023) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s decision released today from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoking the NewRange Copper Nickel section 404 water permit:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is deeply disappointed in and frustrated with today’s determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to revoke the NewRange Copper Nickel 404 water permit. This again delays a critical project for the clean energy transition, the region of northeast Minnesota, our state and country.
“While we dig deeper into the decision today, we are deeply puzzled why it has come to this. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency previously certified the project’s treated water met water quality standards under the Clean Water Act at discharge.
“We encourage supporters of responsible industry to stay strong as we continue to standby this project’s right to a fair and transparent regulatory process that is incredibly important to domestically secure minerals for the clean energy and battery storage technologies.
“The NewRange 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. 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 2,300 members 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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