CEO: Twin Metals Preparing for Future Environmental Test
Mesabi Daily News
Jerry Burnes
The head of the parent company of Twin Metals Minnesota said this week he is forging ahead on environmental impact assessment preparation, with hope the Trump administration reverses a decision to revoke the company’s mineral rights on a project near Ely.
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A Twin Metals spokesman said Friday that the company hasn’t submitted anything formal, but said it is gathering data for a formal proposal “in late 2018 or early 2019,” said Bob McFarlin.
Pioneer Press
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has moved from being “genuinely undecided” on the proposed PolyMet mine to being a genuine supporter.
PolyMet is a proposed copper-nickel mining project in northern Minnesota’s Iron Range that is now undergoing the permitting process. The process may still take a while — the final project may not be complete during Dayton’s term — but the governor’s favor may give comfort to supporters and dash the hopes of opponents. Dayton had been resolutely neutral on the project for much of his term.
Many along the economically stressed Iron Range have long-backed PolyMet’s plans for the open-pit mine’s promise of 360 permanent jobs and a revitalized mining industry.
Read More: http://www.twincities.com/2017/10/23/mark-dayton-supports-polymet-mining-proposal/
Duluth, Minn. (Oct. 18, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the extremist behavior by opponents to the Line 3 Replacement Project at the Duluth public hearing:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is appalled at the blatant display of extremist behavior at tonight’s Line 3 Replacement Project public hearing at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The intent of the public hearing was to listen to the views of Minnesotans, and aggressive actions by a group of individuals made it impossible for members of the public, including many of our members, to participate in this important public process and share their views.
Tonight’s display of intimidation tactics jeopardized the integrity of the regulatory process and made it unsafe for people to remain in the room. This is not the type of behavior that we expect from our fellow Minnesotans. This was not passion, it was aggression. It is never permissible to shutter a public process through unprovoked hostile actions that cause people to be afraid for their well-being.
With the remaining meetings on the Line 3 Replacement Project scheduled for next week, we hope there still will be the opportunity for the respectful discourse of opinions without threats and violence.”
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
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
One week before public hearings begin on Minnesota’s proposed new rules for protecting wild rice from sulfate pollution, the state’s mining industry, Steelworkers and Iron Range officials and activists are restating their fervent opposition.
Critics say the new rule could cause increased regulation for taconite iron ore processing operations and some municipal sewage treatment plants.
Open Letter to Zinke and Perdue to Repeal Federal Land Withdrawal
Mesabi Daily News
Gerald M. Tyler
In April 2015, collaborating with anti-mining activists, Minnesota Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced a bill to ban mining on all federal lands within the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest. In March 2016, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, in collusion with the anti-mining activists, directed the Minnesota DNR not to authorize or enter into any new leases or state access agreements on state lands in the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest. Governor Dayton’s unlawful directive prohibits mineral development on approximately 147,600 acres of state owned lands. The 147,600 acres include 95,000 acres of Minnesota Public School Trust Lands. These lands are owned by the state in trust for all public schools of Minnesota. Revenues generated from school trust lands are credited to the permanent school fund managed by the State Board of Investment including royalty payments. The Governor’s wrongful and unlawful directive prohibiting mineral entry and development on School Trust Lands will deny Minnesota schools of millions of dollars of revenues to operate and maintain the public schools.
WDIO-TV
Staff
*Click link to view video
Union leaders, DFL officials, and environmental groups are upset after two well-known advocates were quoted with some disdainful comments about miners in a piece to be published in Sunday’s New York Times Magazine.
Dave Lislegard, a third generation Iron Ranger, former steelworker, and now an Aurora City Councilor, sat down with Eyewitness News and shared his perspective on the comments.
“These comments and statements are extremely disheartening for people on the Iron Range. They are uncalled for and unwarranted. We can agree to disagree. But attacking our way of life, for the Range, it’s very disappointing.”
Read More: http://www.wdio.com/TWIM/mining-boundary-waters-becky-rom-nyt-article/4634176/?cat=10335
St. Paul, Minn. (Oct. 4, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to recent bi-partisan actions by Reps. Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congressman Collin Peterson (MN-07) and Congressman Jason Lewis (MN-02) to allow responsible mineral production to continue in Northern Minnesota.
“Jobs for Minnesotans supports the important bi-partisan actions our leaders have championed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The actions to oppose the land and mineral withdrawal proposed by the U.S. Forest Service and renew the Twin Metals federal mineral leases bring hope to Northeastern Minnesotans that their way of life will be sustained and their economic future strengthened.
Reps. Emmer, Peterson and Lewis deserve great credit for working together across party lines, to represent the best interests of the citizens, communities and working families in Northeastern Minnesota and across the state. These actions help to eliminate delays, return to good stewardship of fair process and restore the opportunity to explore strategic metals in one of the richest mineral deposits in the nation critical to our economy and national security.”
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: Meagan Pick
jobsforminnesotans@gmail.com
952.346.6049
Emmer Bill Prohibits Excluding Federal Land from Mining
Mesabi Daily News
Staff
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., introduced legislation Tuesday that would prohibit the U.S. Forest Service from excluding any National Forest land from mining without approval from Congress.
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The bill also would restore mineral leases to Twin Metals, the company which has plans for an underground copper mine near the Kawishiwi River and Ely. Similar legislation to restore those leases already has advanced in the House.
St. Paul, Minn. (Sept. 26, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement about the organization’s support for strong economic development and job opportunities from the safe energy transportation industry and projects like the Line 3 Replacement:
“Jobs for Minnesotans strongly supports opportunities for economic growth through responsible natural resource development in the state of Minnesota. We currently have an opportunity within the safe energy transportation industry that Minnesotans cannot afford to lose. The Line 3 Replacement Project will have a total economic impact of more than $2 billion, provide a payroll of $167 million for local workers and create 6,500 local jobs over two years, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota Duluth.
“We also support a fair, transparent and timely review process. The regulatory process on the Line 3 Replacement project has been thorough and robust. We urge the Administrative Law Judge to recommend to the Public Utilities Commission that the Line 3 Replacement Project be awarded its certificate of need and route permit expeditiously. Minnesota benefits economically from an extensive pipeline network and it is important that we maintain, repair and, where appropriate, replace these important pieces of infrastructure. We will be voicing these thoughts at each of the 18 hearings scheduled in communities across the state from now until the end of October and we encourage others to join us and raise their voices in solidarity.”
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
St. Paul, Minn. (Sept. 12, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Department of Commerce opinion on the need for Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project:
“Jobs for Minnesotans firmly disagrees with the Minnesota Department of Commerce opinion on the need for the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project. No state is an island when it comes to energy and critical infrastructure. As we move toward more sustainable sources of energy, our state is unequivocally dependent on oil to meet the demands of our state now and into the future. We cannot flip a switch and turn off our reliance on liquid fuels, so it is imperative we ensure our infrastructure continues to be safe for the environment and workers.
Line 3 is a critical piece of infrastructure that will be replaced with state-of-the-art materials and modern technology and trained individuals. It is an integrity-driven project to ensure our state can continue to safely transport energy to the people and businesses who depend on it for all aspects of our daily lives. Furthermore, our state will gain 6,500 local Minnesota jobs over two years and will benefit from more than $2 billion in economic impact, according to a recent University of Minnesota Duluth study. To say this project is not needed reflects a short-sighted outlook on the future well-being of business, labor and community in our state. This perspective will be shared as our organization continues to participate in the review process for this integral 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
JobsforMinnesotans@gmail.com
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978