St. Paul, Minn. (Jan. 5, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources release of the draft Permit to Mine for PolyMet’s NorthMet Project.
“Today’s release of the draft Permit to Mine is a historic achievement for the NorthMet Project and the state. It builds on our rich iron mining heritage and is a catalyst for a new era of responsible mining. Copper-nickel mining offers substantial private investment and long-term economic returns that will sustain families and communities and benefit our entire state. More broadly, the project will provide the crucial minerals we require as a part of our daily lives.
The rigorous reviews of the NorthMet Project design instill confidence that PolyMet has the right technology, the right environmental and financial protections, and the right leadership to chart a responsible path forward for copper-nickel mining in Minnesota. We believe PolyMet will meet all conditions outlined in the draft Permit to Mine.”
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
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978
“Next Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) will review the decision of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to once again delay the Line 3 pipeline replacement permitting process. This delay is entirely unnecessary, but unfortunately unsurprising. In the last 7 years, legally established timelines for permitting projects in Minnesota have been routinely ignored by the MPUC, state agencies, and others that appear to have bowed to a small but vocal group of activists instead of following the law.
Just last month, the MPUC delayed a decision on the adequacy of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), ignoring the recommendation from Judge Eric Lipman that the FEIS should be deemed adequate, as well as testimony of state agency experts and MPUC staff who advised them the information necessary to make an informed decision was in the report. The ALJ has now added another delay, pausing other aspects of the regulatory process until the FEIS is deemed adequate. We encourage the MPUC to order the ALJ to proceed with the rest of the regulatory process while the FEIS process continues simultaneously. That approach would be consistent with the MPUC’s previous orders.
Doing otherwise will mean months of delay, and yet another construction season missed. Delays have real world consequences. Construction workers go without paychecks, local city and county governments go without tax revenue, local businesses that would profit during construction don’t get those profits. In addition, businesses around the nation looking to invest in projects that require permits from the MPUC continue to question whether or not they can get a fair chance to move their projects forward in Minnesota. All of this is bad for our state.
We implore the MPUC to bring common sense back to their proceedings, reverse the ALJ move, and get the process for permitting Line 3 back on track for a conclusion in April of this year.”
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49
Jobs for Minnesotans
Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota Pipe Trades Association
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Feds Reverse Course, Keep Minnesota Copper Mine Plan Alive
Minnesota Public Radio
Dan Kraker
Last December, the Obama administration refused to renew mineral leases crucial to Twin Metals Minnesota’s efforts to build a huge underground copper-nickel mine near Ely and the Boundary Waters, all but killing the plan.
On Friday, however, the Trump administration reversed that decision, paving the way for Twin Metals to get its leases back and resurrecting the effort to build the controversial mine.
An opinion published Friday by a top attorney at the U.S. Interior Department concludes the federal Bureau of Land Management erred last year when it concluded that BLM had the power to grant or deny the Twin Metals lease renewals. The reversal means the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service must reconsider Twin Metals’ 2012 lease renewal application.
Read More: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/12/22/twin-metals-mn-copper-mine-alive-fed
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 22, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Administrative Law Judge decision to hold further advancement of the Line 3 Replacement Project by adjusting the project’s briefing schedule.
“On the heels of good news today for the responsible mining industry related to the renewal of Twin Metals Minnesota’s federal mineral leases, Jobs for Minnesotans is deeply dismayed by a big step backward that could cause costly delays in the process for reviewing the Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Project.
“An Administrative Law Judge’s decision to halt progress for what may be months on the review of the Line 3 Replacement Project’s certificate of need and route permit will once again deprive Minnesotans of economic opportunity. Thousands of Minnesotans made their views very clear that this project is necessary and important for our state. They strongly object to the judge’s disregard for fair and efficient process. It’s very disappointing to see yet another in an endless string of delays imposed on a project that will create jobs, protect the environment and provide access to the fuel that drives our economy and society.”
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. 22, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to reverse opinion denying mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota.
“Jobs for Minnesota welcomes the opinion announced today by the Solicitor’s Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior reversing an opinion from March 2016 that paved the way for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service denial in December 2016 of two mineral lease renewals sought by Twin Metals Minnesota. The new opinion reopens the process for reviewing the renewal applications and is thus a positive step for advocates of fair process for economic development and job creation in Northern Minnesota.
“The decision does not touch on a second action by the two federal agencies last December, which was to start a process for withdrawing approximately 235,000 acres of federal land and minerals in Northern Minnesota from future leasing, exploration and development activities. Lifting the arbitrary, devastating mineral withdrawal proposal is a critical next step needed in order to return to the established process for the public to evaluate mining projects on their merits.”
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. 13, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the milestone submission of PolyMet’s updated Permit to Mine application and financial assurance estimates for the NorthMet Project.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is encouraged to see PolyMet’s financial assurance estimates for the NorthMet project submitted to the state of Minnesota, marking the final piece of information needed for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to issue a draft Permit to Mine. This is the first proposed copper-nickel mining project to reach this important milestone in Minnesota, an accomplishment based on sound science and fair process.
We are confident PolyMet will meet its obligation to close and reclaim the project site as planned and in a responsible manner when that time comes. We are equally confident the financial assurance estimates outlined in the updated application will adequately and appropriately protect taxpayers and the environment.
This project paves the way for a new era of mining that supports a 130-year tradition in Minnesota. Directly employing 360 hardworking Minnesotans and creating 600 additional spinoff jobs, the NorthMet project will generate positive economic benefits for the state for years to come, including an estimated $515 million annually for St. Louis County and surrounding region. We eagerly await the opportunity to bring this enduring, positive enterprise to our state and call on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to move expeditiously toward issuing the draft Permit to Mine.”
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
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978
PolyMet Submits Financial Assurance Details
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
PolyMet has submitted the last major details for the company’s most important mining permit, outlining how they will guarantee money is available to properly close the operation and treat water after the proposed copper mine is played out.
PolyMet submitted to the state the last chapter of its permit-to-mine on Tuesday, which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources made public Wednesday afternoon on the project’s state website.
The so-called “financial assurance” chapter of the permit application essentially details PolyMet’s proposal for the safety net that will be required by the state in case the company is no longer viable when the reclamation work needs to be done.
[…]
“This is the last thing the state needs before they can put the permit out for people to comment on,” Cherry told the News Tribune.
If the DNR deems the proposed financial assurance package satisfactory it’s possible the entire permit-to-mine would be released for public comment, including public hearings, early in 2018. PolyMet hopes to receive all the necessary permits early next year and start construction as early as next summer, producing its first copper concentrate by 2020.
Read More: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/4373707-polymet-submits-financial-assurance-details
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 7, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) determining the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) inadequate.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is disappointed with the Minnesota PUC’s decision to deem the Line 3 Replacement Project’s environmental review inadequate. The review and analysis were accomplished in a lengthy, thoughtful and deliberate process involving a wide range of stakeholders, resulting in a comprehensive and thorough document. The Administrative Law Judge and PUC staff recommended that the FEIS be deemed adequate. The PUC’s decision to deem the FEIS inadequate is concerning and ignores the socio-economic benefits to hardworking Northern Minnesotans, delaying putting them to work on this important infrastructure replacement project.
We continue to support Enbridge as they prepare to make the largest private investment in our state – more than $2 billion in total economic impact. Investing in integrity-driven projects like the Line 3 Replacement Project has long-term returns for Minnesota and our residents. Above and beyond creating a pipeline that will serve our safe energy transportation needs well into the future, Minnesota stands to gain an additional $19.5 million per year in property taxes from Enbridge. We stand by our assessment that the Line 3 Replacement Project is in the best public interest.”
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
Our View: Right the Wrong Done to Twin Metals
Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board
[…]
Withdrawing Twin Metals’ mineral leases inappropriately usurped [environmental review and permitting] processes. Like any citizen, whether individual or corporate, Twin Metals deserved to be treated fairly in accordance with existing state and federal laws. It wasn’t.
Read More: http://admin.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/4369154-our-view-right-wrong-done-twin-metals
St. Paul, Minn. (Nov. 30, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to two important pieces of legislation passing the U.S. House this week. Both pieces of legislation – H.R. 3115, the Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act, and H.R. 3905, Minnesota’s Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act (“MINER Act”) – support the future of job creation and economic growth in Minnesota.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is grateful to the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted in favor of H.R. 3115 and H.R. 3905, and in particular the champions of each bill, Rep. Rick Nolan and Rep. Tom Emmer, respectively. We are also thankful to Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, for his steadfast support of Minnesota mining.
These bills protect fair process for multiple mineral development projects that have the potential to create thousands of jobs, plus approximately two additional jobs created in other industries for each mining job. We applaud this positive momentum in support of our crucial natural resource industry. A way of life for future generations of Minnesotans depends on our country’s commitment to timely, predictable and transparent regulatory processes at all stages of project development. We are thankful for these recent actions to support economic development and national security, and we hope for similarly positive outcomes as these bills move through the U.S. Senate.”
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