The Bemidji Pioneer
Kyle Makarios

Enbridge, an energy transportation company operating in Minnesota, is proposing to expand capacity on its existing Line 67 pipeline on a three-mile segment that crosses the U.S.-Canada border. Known as the Line 67 Expansion, this project will allow Enbridge to safely transport 800,000 barrels per day across the international border on Line 67. This is the same volume of oil moving along other areas of the pipeline, so the expansion will reduce system bottlenecks and increase the ability to meet shipper demand in the system.

Read More: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/opinion/4230093-commentary-move-forward-line-67-expansion

Hometown Focus
Nancy Norr

Job growth remains a top concern among Minnesotans—particularly those living in Greater Minnesota—as shown in the findings of the Blandin Foundation’s 2016 Rural Pulse survey. This lack of confidence in the employment market underscores the importance of creating economic opportunity and jobs in Minnesota through responsible copper-nickel mining and energy transportation. With low incomes and a vulnerable economy, Jobs for Minnesotans will continue to advocate for development projects that result in job growth and economic benefits for our state.

Established in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, representing over 55,000 workers, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees, Jobs for Minnesotans gives a voice to those in favor of a strong economic future in the state of Minnesota.

The unique combination of business, labor and community groups formed the coalition because of the undeniable need for job creation and the overwhelming solution to address this issue: promoting two of the largest potential job creators in our state—responsible mining and energy transportation.

Jobs for Minnesotans filled a gap. Its diverse representation provides meaningful support to the mining and energy transportation industries that a company or industry association isn’t in a position to do. In what can sometimes be a highly-charged debate, the coalition represents a broad-base of supporters who know that job creation and a quality environment can coexist.

Read More: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2017-02-24/Mining_Features/Jobs_for_Minnesotans_support_responsible_mining_en.html

Mesabi Daily News, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Grand Rapids Herald-Review and the Chisholm Tribune Press
Bill Hanna

Mesabi Daily News, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Grand Rapids Herald-Review and the Chisholm Tribune Press
Bill Hanna

Jon Cherry took little time pondering the question and his response.

After all, he’s heard the same query repeatedly the last few years. And his answers have varied only when significant project updates were inserted from time to time.

“Obviously we wish it would be going faster,” Cherry said in a recent telephone interview from company Twin Cities offices, regarding final permitting work for the PolyMet copper/nickel/precious metals venture near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt.

“But the process is being followed, and it will be very good — the best — when done,” he added.

[…]

Or, put another way: If such slow and stringent approval would have been needed to extract minerals to build the country, horses would have been regularly shoed and wagon wheels fixed well beyond their commercial life expediency.

The project holds great job and financial promise for the Iron Range — especially the east end, which has been economically devastated ever since LTV Mining shut down in 2001.

Read More: http://www.virginiamn.com/mine/polymet-slow-and-steady-progress/article_c0f4df72-f885-11e6-86c9-5fd60519e403.html

Duluth News Tribune
John Myers

The St. Louis County Board of Commissioners Tuesday gave final approval to a resolution asking the Trump administration to overturn a late Obama administration ban on copper mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Read More: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4218056-county-board-gives-trump-letter-final-approval