St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 22, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to reverse opinion denying mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota.
“Jobs for Minnesota welcomes the opinion announced today by the Solicitor’s Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior reversing an opinion from March 2016 that paved the way for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service denial in December 2016 of two mineral lease renewals sought by Twin Metals Minnesota. The new opinion reopens the process for reviewing the renewal applications and is thus a positive step for advocates of fair process for economic development and job creation in Northern Minnesota.
“The decision does not touch on a second action by the two federal agencies last December, which was to start a process for withdrawing approximately 235,000 acres of federal land and minerals in Northern Minnesota from future leasing, exploration and development activities. Lifting the arbitrary, devastating mineral withdrawal proposal is a critical next step needed in order to return to the established process for the public to evaluate mining projects on their merits.”
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. (Dec. 13, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the milestone submission of PolyMet’s updated Permit to Mine application and financial assurance estimates for the NorthMet Project.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is encouraged to see PolyMet’s financial assurance estimates for the NorthMet project submitted to the state of Minnesota, marking the final piece of information needed for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to issue a draft Permit to Mine. This is the first proposed copper-nickel mining project to reach this important milestone in Minnesota, an accomplishment based on sound science and fair process.
We are confident PolyMet will meet its obligation to close and reclaim the project site as planned and in a responsible manner when that time comes. We are equally confident the financial assurance estimates outlined in the updated application will adequately and appropriately protect taxpayers and the environment.
This project paves the way for a new era of mining that supports a 130-year tradition in Minnesota. Directly employing 360 hardworking Minnesotans and creating 600 additional spinoff jobs, the NorthMet project will generate positive economic benefits for the state for years to come, including an estimated $515 million annually for St. Louis County and surrounding region. We eagerly await the opportunity to bring this enduring, positive enterprise to our state and call on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to move expeditiously toward issuing the draft Permit to Mine.”
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
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978
PolyMet Submits Financial Assurance Details
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
PolyMet has submitted the last major details for the company’s most important mining permit, outlining how they will guarantee money is available to properly close the operation and treat water after the proposed copper mine is played out.
PolyMet submitted to the state the last chapter of its permit-to-mine on Tuesday, which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources made public Wednesday afternoon on the project’s state website.
The so-called “financial assurance” chapter of the permit application essentially details PolyMet’s proposal for the safety net that will be required by the state in case the company is no longer viable when the reclamation work needs to be done.
[…]
“This is the last thing the state needs before they can put the permit out for people to comment on,” Cherry told the News Tribune.
If the DNR deems the proposed financial assurance package satisfactory it’s possible the entire permit-to-mine would be released for public comment, including public hearings, early in 2018. PolyMet hopes to receive all the necessary permits early next year and start construction as early as next summer, producing its first copper concentrate by 2020.
Read More: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/4373707-polymet-submits-financial-assurance-details
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 7, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) determining the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) inadequate.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is disappointed with the Minnesota PUC’s decision to deem the Line 3 Replacement Project’s environmental review inadequate. The review and analysis were accomplished in a lengthy, thoughtful and deliberate process involving a wide range of stakeholders, resulting in a comprehensive and thorough document. The Administrative Law Judge and PUC staff recommended that the FEIS be deemed adequate. The PUC’s decision to deem the FEIS inadequate is concerning and ignores the socio-economic benefits to hardworking Northern Minnesotans, delaying putting them to work on this important infrastructure replacement project.
We continue to support Enbridge as they prepare to make the largest private investment in our state – more than $2 billion in total economic impact. Investing in integrity-driven projects like the Line 3 Replacement Project has long-term returns for Minnesota and our residents. Above and beyond creating a pipeline that will serve our safe energy transportation needs well into the future, Minnesota stands to gain an additional $19.5 million per year in property taxes from Enbridge. We stand by our assessment that the Line 3 Replacement Project is in the best public interest.”
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
Our View: Right the Wrong Done to Twin Metals
Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board
[…]
Withdrawing Twin Metals’ mineral leases inappropriately usurped [environmental review and permitting] processes. Like any citizen, whether individual or corporate, Twin Metals deserved to be treated fairly in accordance with existing state and federal laws. It wasn’t.
Read More: http://admin.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/4369154-our-view-right-wrong-done-twin-metals