Jobs for Minnesotans issues statement on introduction of Congressional Review Act aimed at reinstating access to critical minerals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Paul, MN: Jobs for Minnesotans, a bipartisan coalition representing business and labor across Minnesota, today welcomed news that Congress will soon be considering legislation to lift the mineral withdrawal in northeast Minnesota enacted by the Department of the Interior in 2023.
With the imposition of the mineral withdrawal in January 2023, companies seeking to invest in the region, create highly-skilled, good paying jobs, and responsibly develop the minerals and materials that Americans rely on for their everyday lives could no longer pursue a process for approval. A Congressional Review Act (CRA) introduced in the U.S. House would lift these restrictions.
“This decisive step affirms that workers, communities, and the environment all deserve a clear, consistent process. Minnesota’s workforce is second to none; when given a fair shot, we deliver projects that meet or exceed every benchmark for safety and environmental performance,” said Jobs for Minnesotans Executive Director, Dave Lislegard, regarding news of the CRA.
“Like many of the Minnesotans I interact with everyday, I believe in the stringent regulatory process and environmental standards that this state has worked hard to develop and implement. I understand that Minnesota’s abundant mineral resources benefit our state’s economy and help contribute to our children’s education through the School Trust Fund. I’m also a realist: Americans rely on these materials to develop products we use every day, and we must ensure we are self-sufficient in these resources, moving away from foreign reliance,” he continued.
“Given all of the benefits, it’s common sense to allow the process to move forward and to give companies seeking to mine in the region an opportunity to prove that they can execute according to the high standards that our state demands.”
###
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.
Press Contact
Samantha Hanson, samantha@giantvoices.com, (218) 576-7236