St. Paul, Minn. (September 4, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following yesterday’s Ramsey County District Court ruling regarding PolyMet’s Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) water quality permit procedures. The ruling found no irregularities in the MPCA procedure that issued the PolyMet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit on Dec. 20, 2018:

“We are happy to see the Court reject allegations of efforts to keep evidence out of the record. The ruling is a positive step forward for the PolyMet project after now 15 years of regulatory review. While the project is currently in the expected litigation phase and has outstanding court challenges, Jobs for Minnesotans firmly stands behind the project’s record and the dedicated MPCA professionals who spent years evaluating this project. We are confident PolyMet’s NPDES permit will be upheld by all courts.”

“The PolyMet project will help bring recovery to a region that is experiencing severe economic disparities and the highest unemployment rates in the state. The project is expected to provide 360 family-sustaining jobs and generate an estimated $515 million annually.

“The project will also help power growth of a more diverse regional and statewide economy as the first company to mine essential metals from the world-class Duluth Complex. The metals that will be safely and responsibly mined are critical not only to an expanding green economy, but also to the infrastructures we have in place for reliable power and broadband communications networks.”

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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (August 18, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDOC) decision to appeal the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need issued by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The MDOC announced it will file the appeal on Wednesday, August 19:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is deeply disappointed by the MDOC’s decision to appeal the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need issued by the MPUC, an agency within the same governing administration. We firmly stand behind the dedicated MPUC Commissioners who have approved the Certificate of Need time after time and have spent the last several years diligently reviewing the project’s record.

“In this unprecedented time with limited state resources, this appeal is extremely wasteful, circumvents the state’s regulatory process and contradicts Governor Walz’s own words. Today’s decision undermines the thorough regulatory review process that has lasted for more than six years.

“As a 60-year-old piece of infrastructure, the safest option for our state, our communities and our environment is replacement. We are confounded that the MDOC would appeal the need for this critical infrastructure project further and we firmly stand behind the need for Line 3, the most thoroughly reviewed project in Minnesota’s history.”

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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (June 30, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement regarding the announcement that the Bureau of Land Management has issued the Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Twin Metals Minnesota project:

“Jobs for Minnesotans welcomes today’s announcement by the Bureau of Land Management on the Twin Metals Minnesota project. The issuance of the NOI is an expected and promising step forward that marks the beginning of the scoping process for the project’s multi-year federal Environmental Impact Statement.

As part of this process, Twin Metals will need to prove it can meet or positively exceed federal and state standards for environmental protection to earn the right to mine. While this announcement clears the first of many hurdles in the federal process, it is separate from the state regulatory process. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is leading the state review process that will assure the project will meet the strict standards in place to protect human health, water quality and the environment. 

The upcoming public scoping process allows for all voices to be heard, and we look forward to providing our input on the Twin Metals project. We are confident that both the federal and state environmental review processes—grounded in science, informed by public engagement and carried out by dedicated public officials —will effectively review all aspects of the project and determine whether the project should be permitted.

Twin Metals’ proposed mine has the potential to help revitalize the economy of northeastern Minnesota by creating more than 750 high-wage, family-sustaining mining jobs plus 1,500 spinoff jobs in the region. And, it will provide strategic minerals critical to the medical industry, broadband communications technology and the transition to a green economy.

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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (June 25, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decision to reject the reconsideration petitions and uphold the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Route Permit and Certificate of Need today:

“Jobs for Minnesotans firmly stands behind the MPUC decision today to uphold the approval of the Line 3 Replacement Project’s EIS, Route Permit and Certificate of Need yet again. We now call on the state of Minnesota and involved agencies to accept the MPUCs decision so our skilled tradespeople can get to work without further delay replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies for energy security and economic competitiveness. Communities along the pipeline corridor are waiting for both the environmental and economic benefits represented by this private investment.

“This project is the most thoroughly reviewed in Minnesota history. While those opposed to the project have taken the regulatory process and state resources to new lengths in order to delay the project, it’s time we come together as a state to advance this critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure.

“While Line 3 is still under the court appeal phase, we appreciate that this advancement in the process brings us closer to putting thousands of skilled tradespeople to work here at home in Minnesota. The project will create impactful investment in northeastern Minnesota communities feeling deep economic disparities right now and enhance the safety of our environment for generations to come.”

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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (June 16, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement addressing the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision to review March’s Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling on the air permit for the PolyMet NorthMet Project:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is encouraged by today’s announcement that the Minnesota Supreme Court is reviewing the ruling on the PolyMet air permit from earlier this year. Also petitioned by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the ruling negates the role of the legislature and the state agencies’ expertise and ability to do its work and make decisions. While we acknowledge the right and expected litigation phase of the regulatory process, this ruling puts the decision making into the court’s hands instead of the career agency professionals and elected representatives of our government.

“We are confident this project should move forward and the more than 15 years of thorough environmental review by state and federal agencies should be upheld. The metals that will be safely and responsibly mined are critical not only to an expanding green economy, but also to the infrastructure we have in place for reliable power and broadband communications networks.

“Projects like PolyMet will help bring economic prosperity to a region that is experiencing severe economic disparities. The project will provide approximately 360 family-supporting jobs to northeastern Minnesota communities and generate an estimated $515 million annually. It would help power growth of a more diverse regional and statewide economy as the first company to mine essential metals from the world-class Duluth Complex.”

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.

###

Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (June 3, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement following the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision to hold contested case hearings for the Line 3 Replacement Project 401 certification:

“We are dismayed by today’s MPCA decision to conduct a contested case process for the Line 3 Replacement Project 401 certification. This decision delays the permitting process for a project that will protect the environment, which is progressively more at risk as this review process continues. We recognize that the MPCA made this decision given the recent Court of Appeals ruling on PolyMet, a ruling that is up for review in the Minnesota Supreme Court.

“Line 3 is the most thoroughly reviewed project in Minnesota’s history. Communities across Minnesota are waiting with urgency to put thousands of skilled tradespeople to work and for the $2.6 billion investment in the state’s energy infrastructure. This privately funded project will provide a significant economic stimulus for Greater Minnesota that is needed now more than ever.

“We encourage our allies in business, labor and communities who believe this project is right for Minnesota to remain engaged and resilient, and we ask that the MPCA and the Office of Administrative Hearings be efficient and keep the process laser focused on the narrow issues addressed in today’s agency decision.”

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.

###

Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (May 1, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement following the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decision to re-issue the certificate of need and route permit for the Line 3 Replacement Project:

“Jobs for Minnesotans celebrates today’s decision by the MPUC to issue the certificate of need and route permit for the Line 3 Replacement Project based on an extensive scientific and factual record. As the most thoroughly reviewed in Minnesota’s history, this safety and maintenance project will provide a much needed private economic stimulus to greater Minnesota while also protecting the environment.

“As leaders in business, labor and communities, we appreciate that this decision brings us closer to putting thousands of skilled tradespeople to work here at home in Minnesota, creating more than $2 billion in economic impact in northeastern Minnesota communities and enhancing the safety of our environment for generations to come.”

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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (April 21, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement addressing the decision by PolyMet to petition the Minnesota Supreme Court on the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling last month that remanded the PolyMet NorthMet Project air permit back to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for more information: 

“Jobs for Minnesotans strongly supports the PolyMet petition and encourages the MPCA to also file a petition to the ruling. We believe the Minnesota Supreme Court should review last month’s ruling given its broad implications. We support PolyMet providing any information deemed necessary, but are increasingly concerned about the threat this ruling poses to Minnesota’s competitiveness, especially as we look toward economic recovery in the coming months and years.

“We are confident this project should move forward, upholding more than 15 years of thorough environmental review by state and federal agencies. The metals that will be safely and responsibly mined by PolyMet are critical not only to an expanding  green economy, but also for important health care applications and to the infrastructure we have in place for reliable power and broadband communications networks that provide many Minnesotans with the capability to connect and work from home in today’s circumstances.

“We continue to look forward to the approximately 360 family-supporting jobs and estimated $515 million in annual economic benefits this project will bring to northeastern Minnesota communities, who need it now more than ever as they contend with the prospect of enormous losses related to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage our allies in business, labor and communities who believe this project is right for Minnesota to stand strong.”

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.

###

Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (March 25, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement addressing the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision to review January’s Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling on the dam safety permits and permit to mine for the PolyMet NorthMet Project:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is extremely pleased the Minnesota Supreme Court is reviewing the ruling on the PolyMet permits from earlier this year. The ruling – also petitioned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – has a negative impact on the state’s overall economy, not just on PolyMet. It creates regulatory uncertainty for multiple industries and municipalities as well as jeopardizes state agencies’ ability to perform their work.

“We are confident this project should move forward and the more than 15 years of thorough environmental review by state and federal agencies should be upheld. The metals that will be safely and responsibly mined by PolyMet are critical not only to an expanding  green economy, but also to the infrastructure we have in place for reliable power and broadband communications networks that provide many Minnesotans with the capability to connect and work from home in today’s circumstances.

“Projects like PolyMet will help bring economic prosperity to a region that experiences severe economic disparities even in a strong economy. The project will provide approximately 360 family-supporting jobs to northeastern Minnesota communities and generate an estimated $515 million annually. It would help power growth of a more diverse regional and statewide economy as the first company to mine essential metals from the world-class Duluth Complex.”

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.

###

Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

In accordance with the COVID-19 guidance developed by the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has made the safe decision to cancel all in-person, public events for Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 replacement project to support the health of our communities.

This includes the open houses and public forums in Bemidji (March 17), Grand Rapids (March 18) and Mahnomen (April 1). In lieu of public hearings, Jobs for Minnesotans urges you to submit your comments in writing to the MPCA online prior to the April 10, 2020 deadline. You can do so by clicking here.

The MPCA has also announced plans for three 90-minute telephone town hall meetings. The public can call into the telephone town hall to share a two-minute comment to be included in the official public record and listen to other comments. The telephone town hall meetings are scheduled on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, April 2, 2020 from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
• Thursday, April 9 from 10 – 11:30 a.m.

As you craft your comments, please consider including these messages asking the MPCA to promptly process and approve the permits and authorizations needed for the Line 3 Replacement Project to move forward:

• The replacement of Line 3 is needed in order to meet the state’s energy needs and after 5 years of permitting and regulatory review has become the most thoroughly studied pipeline project in Minnesota history.
• Replacing an aging pipeline with new, modern construction, is the safest and best option for protecting the environment and communities. 
• As the most thoroughly studied pipeline project in Minnesota history, we believe the environmental, water and wetland studies that have occurred over the last several years related to the project have been thorough and complete.
• Enbridge is complying with federal and state wetland laws and protections, and the route was specifically and carefully selected to mitigate the impact to water bodies and wetlands.
• The Route Permit was approved, confirmed and issued by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission after a rigorous Environmental Impact Statement and public input process spanning more than five years.
• Enbridge will continue to be good environmental stewards from the construction of the project across the state of Minnesota to maintenance and monitoring of the pipeline once it’s operational.
• This project is a critical $2.6 billion dollar investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure and will provide quality jobs to thousands of Minnesota workers during the course of the Project, including 8,600 family-sustaining construction jobs.