St. Paul, Minn. (Feb. 3, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to yesterday’s Minnesota Court of Appeals decision to deny the motion for a stay of the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need and Route Permit:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is pleased by the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision to deny the stay of the Line 3 Replacement Project. We thank the appeals commission for determining the harm of a stay would be far too great to more than 5,000 skilled professionals currently working on the project, the northern Minnesota communities along the route trying to survive the disproportionate economic impact of the pandemic, and to the surrounding environment and watersheds of the existing 51-year-old pipeline being replaced.

“These motions for a stay were another attempt to deny science and the lawful six-year regulatory review process of a $2.6 billion private investment in our state’s energy infrastructure. It’s time for all Minnesotans to accept the agency decisions made time and time again to advance this project based on an expansive scientific record.

“More than 5,000 workers now rely on Line 3 for employment and health benefits as construction for the project continues. We urge all of those following this project to support a safe and respectful work environment for these workers and the communities along the corridor.”

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 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members 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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (January 13, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the proposed Prove it First legislation released today by select members of the Minnesota legislature:

“This bill is not an attempt to strengthen the regulatory process, it’s simply an attempt to kill the mining industry in Minnesota and issue a blanket denial to projects that ultimately are essential to the future transition to green energy sources.

“Those backing this legislation ignore the fact that there have been non-ferrous mines that have opened, operated and closed in similar climates that have successfully protected the environment and remain in compliance in our country. Look to the Flambeau mine in Wisconsin and the Eagle mine in Michigan.

“We already have “prove it first” regulations and laws in our state environmental review and permit processes for all mining projects. Any nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group metals project proposed in Minnesota already has to prove it can operate safely without impacting the surrounding environment.  

“You cannot have electric vehicles, solar panels or windmills without the minerals that are located in northeast Minnesota. Ninety-five percent of the U.S. nickel reserves and 88 percent of U.S. cobalt reserves are located here in northeast Minnesota. We as a state cannot just shut out an industry in one breath and then expect we have the ability to make this critical green transition in another.

“Every mine proposal is unique and specific to its leases, location and mining methods. Every geological deposit the proposal sits on is different. We need to trust our government institutions and agencies to analyze each project based on science and facts in a predictable and fair way through the processes already in place.”

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 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 6,300 members 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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 23, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decision to deny the reconsideration of a stay of the Line 3 Replacement Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Route Permit and Certificate of Need:

“The Line 3 Replacement Project’s scientific record, the most studied project in Minnesota’s history, prevailed again today. It’s time for all Minnesotans to accept the sound agency decisions and come together as a state to advance this critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure and economy. Especially for the communities along the route that are experiencing high unemployment rates and economic disparities compared to the Twin Cities.

“Jobs for Minnesotans now looks forward to supporting a respectful work environment for the communities along the corridor and for construction workers as this project continues.”

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 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members 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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978

St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 4, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decision today to deny the motion for stay of the Line 3 Replacement Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Route Permit and Certificate of Need:

“The extensive scientific record of the Line 3 Replacement Project prevailed again today as the motion for a stay of the project was denied. Jobs for Minnesotans thank the MPUC Commissioners for the thoughtful deliberations and considerations during today’s special commission meeting.

“The impact of a stay would be far too great not only to the thousands of skilled professionals who have started or will soon start work on the project – depending on its employment and healthcare benefits; but also to the surrounding communities, environment and watersheds of the existing 51-year-old pipeline being replaced.

“Construction has been deemed essential work under the Governor’s executive order since the beginning of the pandemic. Safety is the core value of the construction industry and is the absolute top priority of our union members and Enbridge – this includes COVID-19 mitigation for workers and communities. Enbridge and its partners have committed to follow the latest guidance provided by local, federal and international public-health and government authorities to protect workers and communities in order to minimize transmissions of COVID-19 during construction.

“The Line 3 Replacement Project has been reviewed by multiple state and federal agencies, and all permits and certificates have been issued. Enbridge has also collaborated and signed agreements with tribal governments along the right-of-way including Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

“It’s time for all Minnesotans to accept the sound agency decisions based on an expansive scientific record and come together as a state to advance this critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure and economy. Especially for the communities along the route that are experiencing high unemployment rates and economic disparities compared to the Twin Cities.

“Jobs for Minnesotans now looks forward to supporting a safe and respectful work environment for the communities along the corridor and for construction workers as this project continues to be built.”

St. Paul, Minn. (November 30, 2020) – Today, after six years of rigorous and thorough scientific regulatory review, the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project received the final permit clearing the path for construction to begin. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued the storm water permit representing the final step to full regulatory approval.

“Today is nothing short of a triumph for what we’ve been fighting for all along – a predictable, fair and thorough regulatory process in the state of Minnesota,” said Doug Loon, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. “This is the right time with the right environmental protections for Enbridge’s $2.6 billion private investment in our state.”

Jobs for Minnesotans and its members commend Governor Walz, the dedicated MPCA, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioners and agency professionals for fulfilling their responsibility to Minnesotans. And, for approving the best option to protect our communities and environment replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies.

“As the most thoroughly reviewed project in Minnesota’s history, it’s time for this project to be built and bring the much needed 4,200 union construction jobs to greater Minnesota,” said Harry Melander, president of the Minnesota Construction and Building Trades Council. “We now call on all Minnesotans to support a safe and respectful work environment for the communities along the corridor and construction workers as this project is built.”

The Line 3 Replacement Project has been reviewed by multiple state and federal agencies. Enbridge has also collaborated and signed agreements with tribal governments along the right-of-way including Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Additionally, to minimize transmissions of COVID-19 during construction, Enbridge has also submitted a comprehensive COVID preparedness plan to the Minnesota Department of Health aligning with its deep commitment to protecting the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the public.

The Line 3 project will bring a $2.6 billion investment in the state’s energy infrastructure and 6,500 local jobs over the course of construction. This comes at a time where unemployment rates along the corridor of the project’s route are still painfully high and average annual incomes fall well below the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area even in a normal economy. Most importantly, the project is needed to replace an aging pipeline and protect Minnesota’s environment for generations.

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 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members 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, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978