St. Paul, Minn. (Nov. 1, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans commends the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decision to issue the Permit to Mine and other permits for the PolyMet NorthMet Project. The DNR’s action is the first approval in the state of Minnesota of a non-ferrous copper, nickel, precious metals mining project.
“We commend the DNR for its rigorous process and for issuing the Permit to Mine to PolyMet following a thorough review,” said Doug Loon, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president and Jobs for Minnesotans board member. “This decision represents a commitment to invest nearly $1 billion in the state’s emerging nonferrous industry, bringing new wealth to the state and furthers Minnesota’s global position as a leading minerals producer, supplying critical minerals to our economy.”
The NorthMet Project is expected to bring approximately 360 direct jobs to northeastern Minnesota communities, with construction jobs alone requiring two million total work hours, a scale comparable to that for the construction of Target Field. As of June 2018, PolyMet had already invested over $350 million in the project and will generate an estimated $515 million annually for the region’s economy.
“This is a win for Minnesota. The project will create hundreds of good-paying jobs that will support Minnesota families and have statewide impact,” said Harry Melander, president of Minnesota Building and Construction Trades and founding member of Jobs for Minnesotans. “The DNR’s historic decision is a monumental stride for Minnesota’s mining industry and a long-awaited victory for all of us who know that we can both mine for these important metals and protect the environment.”
The permit points to a prosperous future for communities in and around the 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.
“The Permit to Mine signals new life for mining on the Iron Range and is a win for all of the communities that have been fighting for its success,” said Aurora Mayor Dave Lislegard, who sits on the Jobs for Minnesotans board. “Each comment submitted, each well attended rally, and each person who made his or her voice heard in support of this project were crucial in reaching this stage and have had a hand in setting our region up for an exciting future.”
“The people of Hoyt Lakes are excited about the opportunities this project brings to our businesses, schools and neighborhoods,” said Hoyt Lakes Mayor Mark Skelton. “PolyMet in our backyard means access to more jobs to fuel our economy, more kids in our classrooms and more customers in our businesses. We are encouraged that the MPCA has stated they will also make final decisions on the remaining permits before the end of the year.”
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. (Oct. 29, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement today following the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (MPUC) issuance of the written order for the Line 3 Replacement Project route permit:
“Today Jobs for Minnesotans applauds the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s decision to issue the final stamp of approval on the Line 3 Replacement Project route through the written order for the route permit. This approval, coupled with Enbridge’s agreement with Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, solidifies that the current planned route is the best possible route for the project, the surrounding communities and the state of Minnesota.
“We are eager to see our professional and prepared workforce right here in Minnesota get started on construction of this project in early 2019. We encourage the MPUC to continue forward progress and hold the necessary hearings for the Line 3 Replacement Project in a timely manner so this critical infrastructure project won’t be delayed any further.”
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
PUC Approves Line 3 Route
Duluth News Tribune
Staff
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Friday approved the proposed route for the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline replacement.
Read More: http://duluthnewstribune.com/business/energy-and-mining/4520089-puc-approves-line-3-route
Bemidji Pioneer
Rep. Matt Grossel and Dan Olson
The trial could have sent a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated here in Minnesota. Instead, it may encourage others to follow their example with potentially devastating consequences.
Read More: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/opinion/letters/4513502-letter-editor-trial-could-have-sent-clear-message-activists?fbclid=IwAR1npJqCO_etBh8mg3CW6GI1RR7N-e1s_Y6Mekry_HqvVSFqcYWfcyliUAc
St. Paul, Minn. (Oct. 10, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in reaction to the dismissed charges yesterday against four out-of-state trespassers who admitted to tampering with an active pipeline:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is disappointed by the court’s decision yesterday. These defendants put themselves and the local community in extreme danger by (admittedly) trespassing and tampering with an active oil pipeline. Acts like this of any kind should be forcefully condemned and should not be the dangerous precedent that was set. We as an organization are committed to working with our allies to address current laws relating to trespass or tampering with critical infrastructure to ensure the continued safety of our communities.
We encourage citizens with concerns about infrastructure projects to pursue the many non-criminal avenues, such as the Legislature, the courts or lawful protest. Amateurs, who have no experience or training, taking unlawful action like trespassing and tampering with active infrastructures should be extremely unacceptable in the eyes of all citizens.
Minnesotans believe in the established processes, which are robust and thorough, to assess and ensure the environmental impact and safety of infrastructure projects, including pipelines, before construction and during the lifespan of its operation. We must expect anyone from outside our state to follow the law when they choose to visit and hold the courts accountable to reinforce those laws.”
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