St. Paul, Minn. (Jan. 16, 2013) – Today in Duluth, Jobs for Minnesotans, a business-labor partnership, will show its support for the PolyMet mining project and encourage the environmental review process to move forward in order to create hundreds of new jobs in the state. Attending the first of three public hearings about the copper-nickel mining project’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS), members of Jobs for Minnesotans praised the thorough and exhaustive environmental review done by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other lead and cooperating agencies.
Minnesota is home to one of the largest copper-nickel deposits anywhere in the world and is poised to become one of the leading producers of minerals used in everything from smart phones to hybrid car batteries to wind turbines. Projects like PolyMet will result in high quality, good paying jobs for years to come, revitalizing significant portions of the Iron Range economy. The more than 55,000 union members and the 2,500 businesses that are part of Jobs for Minnesotans trust the DNR’s process and are eager to move to the mine permit phase.
“The DNR’s review has been lengthy and thorough. The SDEIS adequately takes into account potential impacts to the environment. Now it’s time we get this project moving forward so we can benefit from a world-class copper-nickel deposit that is right below our feet,” said Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans co-founder and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.
“The PolyMet project alone could provide 360 full-time mining jobs once it becomes operational, in addition to two million construction hours before it even begins to mine ore,” said David Olson, Jobs for Minnesotans co-founder and president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
“Our members see this project as an opportunity to breathe new life into Minnesota’s economy. In addition to hundreds of jobs, copper-nickel mining will provide millions of dollars in local and state taxes to support our communities and education system. Jobs from the project will provide families with a sustainable future and children with opportunities for good careers. The DNR has done its job, now let’s put Minnesotans to work,” added Melander.
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Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 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. This coalition represents businesses, middle class workers, labor, local governments and other supporters of job creation in the state of Minnesota. Jobs for Minnesotans was created to educate and provide information about the direct and ancillary job creation that the strategic metals mining can produce for the state.
Media Contacts:
Harry Melander
612.865.3585
harstpbt@mtn.org
Nancy Norr
218.590.6978
nnorr@mnpower.com
St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 6, 2013) – Today’s release of PolyMet’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement is an important milestone for all Minnesotans. The more than 55,000 union members and business leaders who are a part of Jobs for Minnesotans are encouraged that this important public process is being led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to not only seek public input, but to ensure that a project of this scope and magnitude is thoroughly studied. Our members join all Minnesotans in placing their trust in the DNR to provide the public with the most up-to-date factual information and environmental analysis of the proposed PolyMet project and to continue this ongoing public dialogue to bring thousands of new jobs to our state.
“Copper-nickel mining can and will revitalize and sustain the Iron Range economy. The release of the Supplemental Draft EIS is an incredibly important step in the public process. We believe the document will demonstrate that the project is both environmentally sound and economically viable,” said Nancy Norr, director of regional development for Minnesota Power and chair of Jobs for Minnesotans.
“Minnesota has the strictest environmental standards in the world. The process encourages us to talk openly and honestly about how copper-nickel mining can be done right for our environment. Before we say no to bringing solid, high-paying jobs to the state, we should have an open dialogue about how projects like PolyMet’s can benefit all of us,” stated Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans co-founder and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.
“Minnesota has a chance to be a world leader in copper and nickel mining. Benefits from these proposed copper-nickel mines extend beyond long-term, good paying jobs. They are key elements in revitalizing our communities and generating revenue for our schools. This is a great step forward in beginning a new era of mining in Minnesota,” added David Olson, Jobs for Minnesotans co-founder and president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
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Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 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. This coalition represents businesses, middle class workers, labor, local governments and other supporters of job creation in the state of Minnesota. Jobs for Minnesotans was created to educate and provide information about the direct and ancillary job creation that the strategic metals mining can produce for the state.
Media Contacts:
Harry Melander
612.865.3585
harstpbt@mtn.org
Nancy Norr
218.723.3905
nnorr@mnpower.com
Tony Kwilas
651.292.4668
tkwilas@mnchamber.com
ST. PAUL, MN (Oct. 30, 2013) – Jobs for Minnesotans today celebrated the introduction of The Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013 in the U.S. Senate. Co-sponsored by Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, the bipartisan legislation would help rejuvenate the United States’ supply of critical minerals and prevent future supply shortages for minerals needed for the defense, energy, electronics, and medical industries.
“We depend on these minerals in our daily lives,” said Nancy Norr, director of regional development for Minnesota Power and chair of Jobs for Minnesotans. “Copper, nickel, platinum, palladium and gold are necessary for innovation and the green technologies we depend on. From wind energy to automobiles to the medical industry, these are the metals that will push our economy forward and bring prosperity to Minnesota businesses and employees.”
The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a list of minerals critical to the United States economy and develop policies to guide the discovery, production, use and re-use of these mineral resources.
This action represents a strong step forward by the U.S. Senate in recognizing the roles these minerals play in the national and Minnesota economies. By modernizing mineral policies and streamlining the permitting process, this bill would allow minerals found in the state of Minnesota to bring thousands of jobs and a sustainable economy to the Minnesota force.
In addition to Sens. Franken and Klobuchar as co-sponsors, the bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), and 11 of their Senate colleagues.
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 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. This coalition represents businesses, middle class workers, labor, local governments and other supporters of job creation in the state of Minnesota. Jobs for Minnesotans was created to educate and provide information about the direct and ancillary job creation that the strategic metals mining can produce for the state.
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Media Contact:
Nancy Norr
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
MINE II: ‘The Range is Our Home. and Mining is What We Do!’
Mesabi Daily News
Congressman Rick Nolan
As a born and bred Cuyuna Ranger, I spend a lot of time talking mining with my colleagues out in Washington. I tell them that up on the Range, mining is who we are. It’s in our blood, our history and our way of life.
I explain that mining is about jobs. Mining is a big job that drives thousands of jobs. Two-thirds of all the iron ore used to make steel in the United States is mined right here — a capitol investment of more than $4 billion dollars. Mining puts food on tables, kids through college and money in the bank.
I share a little history. Mining’s “Greatest Generation” won World War II. Mining’s unions created a middle class that’s built thriving businesses, schools and communities.
I invite them to join all of us, and the thousands of visitors from all over the nation, who enjoy our clean air, clear lakes, pine forests, hunting, fishing and camping. No one appreciates the great outdoors more than us Rangers.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/mine/article_18a4b848-419e-11e3-a875-001a4bcf887a.html
Mesabi Daily News
Senator Al Franken
For generations, mining has played a unique role in the economy, and the culture, of our state.
I travel to the Iron Range as often as I can. And whenever I’m there, I meet with workers who are rightly proud to be earning good paychecks in good jobs, producing steel for skyscrapers, iron ore nuggets for electric arc furnaces, and much more.
Mining is a true Minnesota tradition. So, too, is respect for our environment and careful stewardship of our natural resources — not just for our own sake, but for the sake of our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
Nobody knows this better than Iron Rangers, who enjoy both the economic opportunities offered by mining and the quality of life provided by Northern Minnesota’s beautiful landscape and abundant recreational opportunities.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/mine/article_e83c973e-41a2-11e3-b0eb-001a4bcf887a.html