Feds Propose Renewing Twin Metals Lease
Duluth News Tribune
Jimmy Lovrien
The Bureau of Land Management proposed renewing hardrock mineral leases in the Rainy River Watershed near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Thursday, initiating a 30-day comment period.
The BLM’s proposal includes new stipulations on the leases in its “proposed action” while the “no-action alternative” would renew the leases under the same conditions as the leases’ last renewal in 2004.
Proposed changes were outlined in an updated environmental assessment released Thursday. Comments on the assessment will be accepted through Jan. 22.
Jobs for Minnesotans Statement on Release of Final State PolyMet Permits
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 20, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement today following the announcement that final major permits for PolyMet Mining were issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), bringing the NorthMet Project a big step closer to reality:
“Today, Jobs for Minnesotans celebrates the opportunities this final approval from the MPCA brings to Northeast Minnesota: hundreds of well-paying jobs and critical investment to sustain local communities. The issuance of these air and water permits is validation that the state’s very public, thorough and scientific process of evaluation, analysis and decision-making works.
“These permits will re-energize the region’s supplier and professional service network, assure long-term employment for skilled tradespeople, generate a more diverse and thriving regional and statewide economy, as well as create access to essential metals to power the green economy and our modern world.
“We applaud the hard work of the regulatory agencies involved in this process and express our deep gratitude to the citizens, businesses, labor organizations, elected officials and communities who have been resilient in their efforts to propel the project forward.”
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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978
Minnesota Oks Final Major State Permits for PolyMet Mine
Associated Press
Steve Karnowski
State pollution regulators on Thursday issued the last major state permits sought by the developers of the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, leaving only one major federal permit still pending.
PolyMet would be the state’s first copper-nickel mine. Thursday’s announcement follows a decision by the Department of Natural Resources last month to grant PolyMet several major permits, including the key one — a permit to mine.
Read More: https://www.apnews.com/094c28c9e8ad4a9aad6127ba2d886856
Our View: Still A Lot to Like in Land Swap
Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board
Joining the cry now are 145 national and Minnesota-based organizations, businesses, unions, elected officials and others. They all signed a letter dated Nov. 28 urging congressional approval of the land swap before the end of the year and the end of the 115th Congress. A copy of the letter was provided to the News Tribune Opinion page.
“Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have advanced this with bipartisan support,” the letter points out. “Mining is a pillar of the economy in Minnesota, particularly the northern part of the state. Mining contributes $1.8 billion to Minnesota’s economy every year. Long-term investment, like that proposed by PolyMet, would provide robust economic value to local communities. The project will generate hundreds of jobs, including 2 million construction hours over 18-24 months, and an annual $515 million boost to the St. Louis County economy.”
Read More: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/editorials/4545318-our-view-still-lot-land-swap
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 13, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decision not to reconsider the issuance of the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Route Permit:
“Jobs for Minnesotans commends the unanimous MPUC decision to uphold the Line 3 Replacement Project Route Permit. This decision helps to propel the project forward and bring well-paying jobs to Minnesotans without further delay. Many of those jobs will be filled by skilled Minnesota-based tradespeople who are well equipped to build and maintain our energy infrastructure. Along with quality jobs, this project brings extensive benefits to communities all along the project’s route in the form of spin-off investment from the workers and project expenditures throughout construction and beyond.
“We thank the MPUC for the thorough and timely regulatory review process and look forward to seeing this project move to the construction phase. J4MN strongly encourages civility and respect for the communities along the route and the dedicated professional workers that will be constructing this project.”
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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 3, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to today’s appeal of permits issued last month for the PolyMet NorthMet Project:
“After a thorough, rigorous and lengthy environmental review process with ample public input, this appeal is one more attempt to delay an important project for the state of Minnesota that has demonstrated it can meet or exceed regulatory standards. The PolyMet NorthMet project is a major economic investment for our state and deserves to move ahead without further delay.
This project is Minnesota’s first opportunity to supply essential metals, such as copper and nickel, to the green economy and other critical components of our modern world. Through the issuance of permits last month by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, PolyMet demonstrated they have the right technology and the right environmental and financial protections to chart a responsible path forward for copper-nickel mining in 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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St. Paul, Minn. (Nov. 19, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decision not to reconsider the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need:
“Jobs for Minnesotans commends the Public Utilities Commission’s hard and diligent work to uphold the thorough regulatory review process and the rule of law. We strongly agree with today’s PUC decision and the June 2018 decision to grant the Certificate of Need for the Line 3 Replacement Project. We look forward to seeing this project continue to move forward in a timely and civil manner, as the investment in this project keeps our state’s energy transportation infrastructure safe and economically competitive.”
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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978
Minnesota Public Radio
Dan Kraker
Along with other Iron Range leaders, unions and northern Minnesota mining supporters, the news Thursday that the state Department of Natural Resources had issued the PolyMet Mining company a permit to mine outside the town of Babbitt, was a clear sign of future renewal.
To them, it means hundreds of jobs, new families and renewed economic vitality in a region that has suffered from a slow decline of employment in the iron mining industry. Babbitt’s population has shrunk over the years from 3,500 at its peak to 1,500 people today, as nearby iron ore mines have closed or downsized.
Read More: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/11/01/polymet-mine-permit-decision-minnesota-dnr
St. Paul, Minn. (Nov. 1, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans commends the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decision to issue the Permit to Mine and other permits for the PolyMet NorthMet Project. The DNR’s action is the first approval in the state of Minnesota of a non-ferrous copper, nickel, precious metals mining project.
“We commend the DNR for its rigorous process and for issuing the Permit to Mine to PolyMet following a thorough review,” said Doug Loon, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president and Jobs for Minnesotans board member. “This decision represents a commitment to invest nearly $1 billion in the state’s emerging nonferrous industry, bringing new wealth to the state and furthers Minnesota’s global position as a leading minerals producer, supplying critical minerals to our economy.”
The NorthMet Project is expected to bring approximately 360 direct jobs to northeastern Minnesota communities, with construction jobs alone requiring two million total work hours, a scale comparable to that for the construction of Target Field. As of June 2018, PolyMet had already invested over $350 million in the project and will generate an estimated $515 million annually for the region’s economy.
“This is a win for Minnesota. The project will create hundreds of good-paying jobs that will support Minnesota families and have statewide impact,” said Harry Melander, president of Minnesota Building and Construction Trades and founding member of Jobs for Minnesotans. “The DNR’s historic decision is a monumental stride for Minnesota’s mining industry and a long-awaited victory for all of us who know that we can both mine for these important metals and protect the environment.”
The permit points to a prosperous future for communities in and around the Duluth Complex, one of the largest undeveloped mineral resources in the world, with an estimated 4.4 billion tons of ore containing copper, nickel and platinum group metals.
“The Permit to Mine signals new life for mining on the Iron Range and is a win for all of the communities that have been fighting for its success,” said Aurora Mayor Dave Lislegard, who sits on the Jobs for Minnesotans board. “Each comment submitted, each well attended rally, and each person who made his or her voice heard in support of this project were crucial in reaching this stage and have had a hand in setting our region up for an exciting future.”
“The people of Hoyt Lakes are excited about the opportunities this project brings to our businesses, schools and neighborhoods,” said Hoyt Lakes Mayor Mark Skelton. “PolyMet in our backyard means access to more jobs to fuel our economy, more kids in our classrooms and more customers in our businesses. We are encouraged that the MPCA has stated they will also make final decisions on the remaining permits before the end of the year.”
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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (Oct. 29, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement today following the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (MPUC) issuance of the written order for the Line 3 Replacement Project route permit:
“Today Jobs for Minnesotans applauds the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s decision to issue the final stamp of approval on the Line 3 Replacement Project route through the written order for the route permit. This approval, coupled with Enbridge’s agreement with Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, solidifies that the current planned route is the best possible route for the project, the surrounding communities and the state of Minnesota.
“We are eager to see our professional and prepared workforce right here in Minnesota get started on construction of this project in early 2019. We encourage the MPUC to continue forward progress and hold the necessary hearings for the Line 3 Replacement Project in a timely manner so this critical infrastructure project won’t be delayed any further.”
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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978