St. Paul, Minn. (July 18, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to today’s announcement that Twin Metals Minnesota plans use the dry stack method for its project’s tailings storage configuration:
“Today’s Twin Metals Minnesota announcement of its plan to use a dry stack tailings storage method is an example of what responsible companies do – listen to and consider the counsel provided by regulators, tribes, communities, industry and organizations like ours, configuring their projects to accomplish both environmental protection and economic feasibility.
“Jobs for Minnesotans supports companies that optimize technology selection to both meet environmental standards and deliver strong economic impact to our state. For Twin Metals Minnesota, the dry stack tailings storage method is the right option to do just that for its specific underground mine project. The method will also result in adding about 50 more jobs to the payroll once the mine is operational.
“All major development projects, including non-ferrous mining projects, should be allowed to work with stakeholders to design projects that meet our society’s needs without being prematurely judged. Once formally proposed, the project should then be thoroughly reviewed by regulators and the public in a manner that evaluates the facts. Jobs for Minnesotans believes the regulatory process is a means to strengthen and improve projects to ultimately assure that if projects achieve their permits, the public’s interests have been met.
“Each new mining project has unique circumstances and configurations based on its specific location, geology and environmental factors. While Twin Metals Minnesota has yet to submit its formal project proposal to state and federal regulators, we look forward to when they do in the coming months and watch this exciting project move through the thorough review process.
“Twin Metals Minnesota will bring more than 700 well-paying and family sustaining jobs as well as 1,400 spinoff jobs to the region. The company has already invested more than $450 million in the project and region to-date and is expected to invest $1.2 billion by the time the mine is operational.”
“Twin Metals Minnesota will bring more than 700 well-paying and family sustaining jobs as well as 1,400 spinoff jobs to the region. The company has already invested more than $450 million in the project and region to-date and is expected to invest $1.2 billion by the time the mine is operational.”
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. (July 3, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement addressing today’s deadline to petition the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling last month on Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project:
“We are pleased the MPUC decided against filing a petition to the Minnesota Court of Appeal’s ruling last month on the Project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement. The outcome of the ruling is a legitimate aspect of the review process and the additional narrow review ordered by the Court should move forward without delay.
Jobs for Minnesotans urges the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to work expeditiously and in close coordination with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and other involved state agencies through the final steps of the review process for Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project. The Line 3 Project has already been the most thoroughly reviewed project in the State of Minnesota’s history.
This Project has real impacts to real people across the state, and Minnesota communities are waiting with urgency for this project to move forward. Not just for the $2.6 billion investment in the state’s energy infrastructure or the 6,500 family-sustaining local jobs that will bring many Minnesota skilled tradespeople home, but also to protect the environment which is progressively more at risk as this review process continues.”
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
Star Tribune
Leo Gerard
Thousands of workers in Minnesota depend on mining jobs like those at PolyMet to support their families and communities. Mining pumps nearly $2 billion a year into Minnesota’s economy and provides $60 million annually to the state’s public schools.
Star Tribune
Rep. Pete Stauber
[…]
Because northeastern Minnesota is our home, a place where we live our daily lives, raise our families and recreate, we hold this project to the highest environmental standards in the world. Like any project, this mine requires compliance with stringent federal and state laws administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and others.
[…]
To be permitted, Twin Metals is required to follow the process. And once the project is permitted, our Superior National Forest will continue to provide recreation and resources for our family, friends and neighbors for generations to come.
Read More: http://www.startribune.com/u-s-rep-pete-stauber-let-the-compliance-process-work-on-the-twin-metals-project/511975052/
St. Paul, Minn. (June 28, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement after PolyMet Mining Corp. announced that the Swiss mining firm Glencore AG had increased its ownership stake in the company, based on preliminary results of a rights offering, raising its ownership from 29 percent to roughly 72 percent:
“Jobs for Minnesotans welcomes this sizable, financial vote of confidence in the amazing potential of the PolyMet NorthMet copper-nickel mine near Hoyt Lakes in northeastern Minnesota. The NorthMet Project will be a nearly $1 billion construction project and will employ 360 workers with well-paying and family-sustaining jobs in the region when operational.
“These long-term jobs for skilled tradespeople will be brought to a region with a more than 130-year heritage of responsible mining while also protecting the environment. The NorthMet Project will generate an estimated $515 million annually to cultivate a more diverse and thriving regional and statewide economy, and, create access to essential metals to power the green economy and our modern world.”
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. (June 18, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement following the State of Minnesota’s announcement today regarding adjusting the permitting timeline for Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project. The timeline adjustment is in response to the Minnesota Court of Appeals opinion earlier this month:
“Jobs for Minnesotans calls upon the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) in conjunction with all involved state agencies to work expeditiously through the final steps of the review process and move the Line 3 Replacement Project forward to construction. The Line 3 Project has already been the most thoroughly reviewed project in the State of Minnesota’s history. As supporters of this project, we know there will be efforts to delay this project even further and we encourage the state to focus on the narrow review ordered by the Minnesota Court of Appeals to prevent more delays.
“Communities across Minnesota are waiting with urgency, not just for the $2.6 billion investment in the state’s energy infrastructure, but also to protect the environment which is progressively more at risk as this review process continues. The critical Line 3 Project will replace an aging pipeline on which the state relies for energy security and economic competitiveness.
“We firmly believe replacing Line 3 is in the state’s best interest and stand behind the continuous unanimous approval of the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need by the MPUC. The Project will provide quality jobs to more than 6,500 Minnesota workers including 2,100 family-sustaining construction jobs, and bring Minnesota tradespeople back home to work.”
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. (June 3, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement addressing the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision today regarding Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project:
“Jobs for Minnesotans strongly believes replacing Line 3 is in the state of Minnesota’s best interest and what’s needed to protect all watersheds along the route corridor. The Project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was deemed properly prepared by the Minnesota Court of Appeals today with one exception. We hope this additional modeling ordered by the Court can be completed in a timely manner and permits can be issued without further delay.
“The Line 3 Replacement Project is a critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure, replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies for energy security and economic competitiveness. The Project will provide quality jobs to more than 6,500 Minnesota workers including 2,100 family-sustaining construction jobs, and bring Minnesota tradespeople back home to work.”
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. (May 28, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement addressing the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision today regarding the PolyMet NorthMet Project:
“Jobs for Minnesotans stands behind the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision today to deny requests by environmental groups for a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the PolyMet NorthMet Project. The Court’s decision affirms the thorough review process in place by law has been followed. We look forward to the approximately 1,000 jobs this project will create.
“The PolyMet NorthMet Project received its final permits earlier this year after a more than decade-long rigorous process and thorough environmental review by state and federal agencies. The issued permits allow the project and its supporters to prove that it’s possible to mine for these important metals while also protecting the environment.
“In addition to long-term employment for skilled tradespeople, the NorthMet Project will generate an estimated $515 million annually to cultivate a more diverse and thriving regional and statewide economy, and create access to essential metals to power the green economy and our modern world.”
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
Ely Echo
Joe Balash, Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management
[…]
Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) executes its mission to manage hard rock mineral leases on the Superior National Forest, fully aware of the positive effects mining confers to the economy and culture of the region. If constructed, the mine is estimated to bring 650 direct and 1,300 indirect jobs to Ely, Babbitt, and the greater northeast Minnesota community.
[…]
Our challenge as professional land resource managers is to scrupulously weigh each decision based on the best available science, in accordance with the laws passed by Congress, and after considerable consultation with the public we serve. Our charge is to recognize opportunities to improve all our lives by accessing valuable minerals for the greatest good, while sharing in all our personal responsibility for public lands stewardship. This decision does just that.
St. Paul, Minn. (May 15, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement in response to today’s decision from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to renew Twin Metals Minnesota’s mineral leases:
“Jobs for Minnesotans applauds the decision by the Bureau of Land Management to renew Twin Metals Minnesota’s federal mineral leases. This decision underscores the BLM’s adherence to the established regulatory process and law. These leases, updated to reflect current federal mineral leasing standards, are vital to the company’s ability to formally propose a mine project and take the next steps in a rigorous state and federal environmental review processes. We look forward to seeing Twin Metals Minnesota move through that review process at the appropriate time – when a project is proposed.
This decision is a crucial step in encouraging the continuation of mineral exploration and investment in northeastern Minnesota. With more than $450 million invested in the project and region to-date, Twin Metals Minnesota alone will bring more than 650 of well-paying and family sustaining jobs as well as 1,200 spinoff jobs to the region.”
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