Emmer Bill to Allow Twin Metals Passes House Committee
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
If it clears the House and Senate and is signed by President Trump, the bill would undo a last-minute move by the Obama administration to revoke mining exploration leases from Twin Metals for its proposed mine along the Kawishiwi River just outside the BWCAW, southeast of Ely.
St. Paul, Minn. (Nov. 8, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans, MiningMinnesota and the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools released the following statement in response to recent progress in the House Committee on Natural Resources on H.R. 3905, Minnesota’s Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act.
“Our organizations are very encouraged to see H.R. 3905 pass through the House Committee on Natural Resources. This represents significant progress toward correcting injustices to Minnesota, and in particular the northeastern part of the state.
We are thankful for the Committee’s support of the Act and understanding that swift passage of this bill into law is critical to protecting our economy and a way of life in the region. Our members are Minnesota residents who enjoy the hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for which the state is known but also need a way to make a living. This is a region that has mined responsibly for 130 years and with the opportunity to develop strategic metals projects will remain as a strong natural resource development based economy for generations to come.
The economic opportunities from mining projects are significant – thousands of direct jobs, two times as many jobs in spinoff industries and billions of dollars to support K-12 education across the state. The emerging mining industry is an investment in the future well-being of our state and nation, and this legislation helps to secure that future.”
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.
About MiningMinnesota
MiningMinnesota is an industrial trade organization made up of all nonferrous exploration and mineral development companies in Minnesota, along with approximately 100 supplier and vendor businesses, all committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible copper-nickel and PGM mineral development and mining in Minnesota.
About Range Association of Municipalities and Schools
Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) represents more than 72,000 residents and 47 public sector units of government, including 23 cities, 15 public school districts and nine townships, in the 13,000 square mile Taconite Assistance Area (TAA) of northeast Minnesota.
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Media Contacts:
Nancy Norr
Jobs for Minnesotans Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.723.3905
Frank Ongaro
MiningMinnesota Executive Director
fongaro@miningminnesota.org
218.393.2301
Steve Giorgi
RAMS Executive Director
SGiorgi@ramsmn.org
218.780.8877
CEO: Twin Metals Preparing for Future Environmental Test
Mesabi Daily News
Jerry Burnes
The head of the parent company of Twin Metals Minnesota said this week he is forging ahead on environmental impact assessment preparation, with hope the Trump administration reverses a decision to revoke the company’s mineral rights on a project near Ely.
[…]
A Twin Metals spokesman said Friday that the company hasn’t submitted anything formal, but said it is gathering data for a formal proposal “in late 2018 or early 2019,” said Bob McFarlin.
Pioneer Press
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has moved from being “genuinely undecided” on the proposed PolyMet mine to being a genuine supporter.
PolyMet is a proposed copper-nickel mining project in northern Minnesota’s Iron Range that is now undergoing the permitting process. The process may still take a while — the final project may not be complete during Dayton’s term — but the governor’s favor may give comfort to supporters and dash the hopes of opponents. Dayton had been resolutely neutral on the project for much of his term.
Many along the economically stressed Iron Range have long-backed PolyMet’s plans for the open-pit mine’s promise of 360 permanent jobs and a revitalized mining industry.
Read More: http://www.twincities.com/2017/10/23/mark-dayton-supports-polymet-mining-proposal/
Duluth, Minn. (Oct. 18, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the extremist behavior by opponents to the Line 3 Replacement Project at the Duluth public hearing:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is appalled at the blatant display of extremist behavior at tonight’s Line 3 Replacement Project public hearing at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The intent of the public hearing was to listen to the views of Minnesotans, and aggressive actions by a group of individuals made it impossible for members of the public, including many of our members, to participate in this important public process and share their views.
Tonight’s display of intimidation tactics jeopardized the integrity of the regulatory process and made it unsafe for people to remain in the room. This is not the type of behavior that we expect from our fellow Minnesotans. This was not passion, it was aggression. It is never permissible to shutter a public process through unprovoked hostile actions that cause people to be afraid for their well-being.
With the remaining meetings on the Line 3 Replacement Project scheduled for next week, we hope there still will be the opportunity for the respectful discourse of opinions without threats and violence.”
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