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
St. Paul, Minn. (April 9, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to Governor Walz’ decision to file the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s appeal of the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need. This decision follows the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s hearing upholding the Certificate of Need late last month:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is disappointed by Governor Walz’s decision to continue the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s appeal of the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need. We firmly stand behind the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (MPUC) unanimous approval of the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need, which was just upheld by the MPUC for the second time in the best interest of the state of Minnesota.
“At this point, we are deeply concerned about further delays to this extremely important project, when there is urgency to replace this line to protect the environment and surrounding communities. We strongly encourage Governor Walz to issue permits in a timely manner to prevent delays to the project while this appeal continues through the courts.”
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. (March 26, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decision today not to reconsider, but uphold the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need:
“Jobs for Minnesotans firmly stands behind the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (MPUC) decision to uphold the approval of the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need following the reconsideration hearing today. Time after time, the project has been deemed necessary by the MPUC in the best interest of the state. Today, the MPUC commissioners understood the sense of urgency to replace this line as much as when the Certificate of Need was first approved back in June 2018 and re-confirmed again in November 2018. We commend the MPUC’s diligence in upholding the thorough regulatory review process and rule of law.
“The Line 3 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 during the course of the project, including 2,100 family-sustaining construction jobs. And, bring Minnesota tradespeople back home to work.
“We encourage the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to stick to their schedules to issue permits and prevent any further delays to the Line 3 Replacement 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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978
St. Paul, Minn. (March 22, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issuance of the last remaining major permit for the PolyMet NorthMet Project:
“Jobs for Minnesotans celebrates the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) decision today to issue the Section 404 wetlands permit, which is the final federal permit needed for the PolyMet NorthMet Project. This USACE action marks a major achievement for a new era of mining in Minnesota – allowing the first non-ferrous copper, nickel, precious metals mining project in the state to be built.
“Jobs for Minnesotans commends the USACE, along with all involved state and federal regulatory agencies, for its rigorous process and thorough review of the NorthMet Project over the last decade. The project and its supporters can now put into action what we’ve been saying all along – that it’s possible to mine for these important metals while also protecting the environment.
“PolyMet will bring approximately 360 well-paying and family-sustaining jobs to northeastern Minnesota communities, re-energizing the region’s supplier and professional service network and assure long-term employment for skilled tradespeople. The project will also generate an estimated $515 million annually to cultivate a more diverse and thriving regional and statewide economy, as well as create access to essential metals to power the green economy and our modern world.”
“PolyMet is the first mining company to be approved by state and federal agencies to mine essential metals from the world-class Duluth Complex, one of the largest undeveloped mineral resources in the world with an estimated 4.4 billion tons of ore containing copper, nickel and platinum group metals.
“Jobs for Minnesotans deeply thanks mining supporters across the state for their diligence in voicing support for the NorthMet project throughout the rigorous regulatory review process. Minnesotans should be extremely proud to see this project move forward and usher in a new era of mining for the state.”
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
Editorial Board
…Replacement of the pipe has become entangled in a bureaucratic, environmental quagmire that now has delayed the project a full year and sparked a battle in which Gov. Tim Walz allowed his Commerce Department to continue to challenge the Public Utilities Commission on its unanimous decision to issue a certificate of need. Shortly after, Enbridge announced the delay.
That means another year of risk to the communities whose property the old line runs through. Worse still, even higher rail shipments of oil. Without additional pipeline capacity, such shipments have hit historic highs. That oil travels through some of the most densely populated areas of the state, posing a potential environmental disaster should there be a derailment.