St. Paul, Minn. (March 4, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has filed a voluntary motion to remand its downstream water quality decision regarding the PolyMet NorthMet Project:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is confident the PolyMet NorthMet Project’s scientific record will be upheld, and the EPA will find, again, that the project will have no downstream water quality impacts. We stand strong behind the science that was affirmed in the project’s 16-year record. We urge the EPA to move forward expeditiously with its review.

“The PolyMet NorthMet project is expected to provide 360 family-sustaining jobs to northeast Minnesota, a region currently experiencing severe economic disparities and unemployment rates compared to the Twin Cities metro area. The project will also be the first to mine nonferrous metals from Minnesota’s Duluth Complex that are needed to meet growing demand of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles and other climate change solutions.”

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 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members 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