Better In Our Back Yard Proudly Supports Enbridge

On Friday, September 27, 2019 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued a denial of Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project’s 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC). The action was expected since the MPCA is prohibited by State law from issuing a final 401 WQC until the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been revised to reflect the June 3, 2019 Court of Appeals decision. An EIS is a document that helps with decision making on the State level and describes the positive and negative environmental effects of a proposed project.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will be initiating steps to revise Line 3’s EIS with spill modeling as directed by the Court of Appeals and has scheduled a meeting to confirm the path moving forward on October 1, 2019.

Enbridge is anticipating submitting an updated and revised 401 application in the near future. Better In Our Back Yard is encouraged by Enbridge’s confidence that today’s action by the MPCA will not negatively impact the project’s status or timeline.

Minnesota’s portion of Line 3, which spans 330 miles, is the last portion of Line 3 that has yet to be replaced and is therefore the only portion of Line 3 that is currently not achieving the latest safety standards. The replacement of Line 3 is the most studied pipeline project in Minnesota’s history. With four years of study and environmental review, Better In Our Back Yard is proud to support the replacement of Line 3.

Better in Our Yard is pleased with the Minnesota Supreme Court decision regarding the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The decision allows the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to move forward with the process of addressing a narrow deficiency in the EIS.

Better in Our Back Yard looks forward to understanding the process moving forward so Enbridge can continue with the necessary $2.6 billion dollar infrastructure investment in our region. We know there are many contractors and construction tradespeople who are awaiting the career opportunities ahead.

Better in Our Back Yard (BIOBY) commends the Minnesota State Supreme Court for rightfully declining to hear a petition for additional review of PolyMet’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). PolyMet spent over a decade in careful preparation of the EIS, which was published in 2015 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

With this decision, PolyMet can continue project progress – focusing their efforts on maintaining ongoing permit compliance, implementing environmental controls, securing financing, beginning construction and ultimately opening the state’s first copper-nickel-precious metals mine.

Today, the Minnesota Court of Appeals announced its unanimous ruling in favor of Minnesota’s nonferrous mining rules. This decision ensures PolyMet’s NorthMet project can continue to take the necessary steps toward the safe operation of our state’s first copper, nickel and precious mine.

Earlier this year, PolyMet became the first company to obtain all Federal and State permits to develop and operate a copper-nickel-precious metals mine in northeast Minnesota. When State of Minnesota permits were issued in late 2018, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness filed a case against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, challenging the administrative rules that guided decisions regarding permits for the NorthMet project.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals rightfully concluded that the rules were valid, as were the standards under which PolyMet received its permits. Every step of the way, PolyMet has demonstrated it can meet or exceed our state’s strict environmental standards. We can mine precious metals here – better – in our backyard.

Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan July 26, 2019
130 State Capitol
75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Honorable Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan,

There is a siege underway in our region – one that is attempting to prevent forward momentum of PolyMet Mining’s NorthMet project. The population in St. Louis County, and many Iron Range communities, continues to decline while our property taxes continue to rise. This declining population has created a gap in how public health and education services are paid for and deployed. Good-paying, private sector jobs are the answer to this challenge – they support both families and communities.   

PolyMet Mining’s NorthMet project and the associated jobs are critical to Iron Range citizens and communities. PolyMet has proved time and time again the project will meet the rigorous environmental standards put in place by the State of Minnesota. We have waited nearly 14 years to see it come to life. The company has gone through more agency review than any other project in the State – maybe even the Country.

Once operating, the NorthMet project is expected to employ 350+ permanent jobs, create 600 spin-off jobs and add a $515 million annual boost to St. Louis County. The jobs, many in the trades, will support families and help drive an economy that has slowly declined for nearly 40 years. 

Construction alone is estimated to inject nearly $1 billion into the region. This will transform small Iron Range communities like Virginia, Hoyt Lakes, Aurora, Hibbing, and Gilbert whom are hungry for growth. These communities are counting on PolyMet.

We ask that you hold firm on the permits issued to the company. 

We do not oppose continuous improvement in the permitting process. In fact, we’ve often been the engineers, project managers, laborers, and scientists on the job providing recommendations to improving the process throughout the years. 

Claims by the metro legislators and opposition groups are another attempt to halt development in rural Minnesota and divide our state. The request to stop the project is based on incomplete information and sensationalism. We ask you this on behalf of the members of Better In Our Back Yard – men and women who work, live and recreate in the communities impacted by PolyMet.  

These claims conveniently overlook one critical factor – here, in Minnesota – in our own back yard – industry operates under some of the world’s most stringent safety and environmental regulations. Glencore has been part of the equation for more than 10 years, supporting and sharing PolyMet’s and Minnesota’s dedication to protecting the local people, communities and environment. 

PolyMet was awarded permits with strict conditions and hefty financial assurance requirements that must be met by the company, by the project, regardless of ownership. PolyMet will operate the NorthMet project within those conditions because they must do so. Period.

We ask you to see these recent requests of your office by environmental groups for what they are – just more attempts to draw out a process that is already complete. Help northern Minnesotans strengthen our economy and work in the communities we live in. We believe that moving forward with the project is in the best interest of Minnesotans because we know we can mine responsibly here, better – in our back yard. 

As a grassroots organization Better In Our Back Yard would like to provide a new perspective on issues that affect our industries and region. On behalf of our members, and the Board of Directors of our organization, we thank you in advance for consideration of our comments.

Respectfully,

Kurt Doran, NTS, Inc.
Board Chair, Better In Our Back Yard

And in unison with the Better in Our Back Yard Board of Directors:
Nik Bayuk, Minnesota Power
Adam Christensen, GPM, Inc.
Joni Dahl, Iracore International
Rachel Johnson, Precision Pipeline
Derek Pederson, Laborers Local 1091
Lisa Rudstrom, Virginia Minnesota Public Schools 

Honorable Attorney General Keith Ellison
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400,
St. Paul, MN 55101

Dear Honorable Attorney General Ellison,

St. Louis County needs your help. Our population has been decreasing since 1980, while property taxes continue to rise. Local elected officials have had to increase sales taxes to combat a lack of tax base growth in many communities throughout the County. Good-paying new industrial jobs are coveted because they help support both families and communities.

PolyMet’s NorthMet project is critical to our region.

For more than a decade, project supporters patiently waited as PolyMet proved time and time again that the NorthMet project will meet the rigorous environmental standards put in place by the State of Minnesota.

Once operating, the NorthMet project is expected to employ 350+ permanent jobs, create 600 spin-off jobs and a $515 million annual boost to St. Louis County. The jobs, many in the Trades, will support families and help drive an economy that has slowly declined for nearly 40 years.

Construction alone is estimated to inject nearly $1 billion into the region. This will transform small Iron Range communities like Virginia, Hoyt Lakes, Aurora, Hibbing, and Gilbert whom are hungry for growth. These communities are counting on PolyMet.

As the project nears construction, it was inevitable that project opponents would reach toward the media, toward politicians – toward anything — in an attempt to sensationalize the issues and discredit the fine and thorough work of the regulators. Today, they are hyper-focused on painting PolyMet’s long-standing partnership with Glencore in a negative light, quickly pointing to false allegations made by other special interest groups as proof that PolyMet doesn’t have Minnesota’s best interests in mind.

These arguments conveniently overlook one critical factor – here, in Minnesota – in our own back yard – industry operates under some of the world’s most stringent safety and environmental regulations. And Glencore has been part of the equation for more than 10 years, supporting and sharing PolyMet’s and Minnesota’s dedication to protecting the local people, communities and environment.

PolyMet was awarded permits with strict conditions and hefty financial assurance requirements that must be met by the company, by the project, regardless of ownership. PolyMet will operate the NorthMet project within those conditions because they must do so. Period.

We ask you to see these recent requests of your office by environmental groups for what they are – just more attempts to draw out a process that is already complete. Help northern Minnesotans strengthen our economy and work in the communities we live in by respecting the state and federal process this project has so diligently followed. We believe that moving forward with the project is in the best interest of Minnesotans because we know we can mine responsibly here, better – in our back yard.

As a grassroots organization Better In Our Back Yard would like to provide a new perspective on issues that affect our industries and region. On behalf of our members, and the Board of Directors of our organization, we thank you in advance for consideration of our comments.

Respectfully,

Kurt Doran, NTS, Inc.
Board Chair, Better In Our Back Yard

And in unison with the Better in Our Back Yard Board of Directors:

Nik Bayuk, Minnesota Power
Adam Christensen, GPM, Inc.
Joni Dahl, Iracore International
Rachel Johnson, Precision Pipeline
Derek Pederson, Laborers Local 1091
Lisa Rudstrom, Virginia Minnesota Public Schools

In the wake of Democratic Presidential candidate Jay Inslee’s recent statement in opposition to the Line 3 Replacement project, Better in Our Back Yard stands with Enbridge.

Enbridge understands the importance of protecting the environment. Replacing Line 3 is not only a safer way to transport crude oil that benefits the environment, it also represents a $2.6 billion-dollar private investment into northern Minnesota’s economy.

Enbridge has worked closely with indigenous people in Minnesota at every step in the process, creating many opportunities on Minnesota reservations. When stakeholders raised concerns during the planning phase, Enbridge rerouted Line 3 around the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Enbridge continues to listen to, and converse with, the communities along the route.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has made it clear that replacing Line 3 is crucial. It will benefit Minnesotans economically while reducing the environmental risks associated with an aging pipeline. Thousands of Minnesotans have signed letters in support of replacing Line 3. It’s time to move forward with the most studied pipeline project in Minnesota’s history – not backwards.

In response to the latest news regarding the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project, Better In Our Back Yard encourages the State of Minnesota and its agencies to continue to move forward with the process to permit the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project, ensuring the safe transportation of crude oil across northern Minnesota.

The Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project has been through four years of rigorous review, and Better In Our Back Yard is disappointed that the Minnesota Court of Appeals has allowed delays in a project that will strengthen northern Minnesota economically, put skilled union tradespeople to work and provide safer transportation of crude oil.

Better In Our Back Yard proudly supports the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project and will continue to advocate for the 6,500 living wage jobs that it will provide for Minnesotans.

Official Statement

Better In Our Back Yard (BIOBY) is extremely disappointed to hear about today’s announcement that the Minnesota Court of Appeals has reversed their ruling on the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for Enbridge’s Line 3 replacement project. Replacing this aging pipeline is critical in protecting our environment and strengthening our communities.

While this decision will certainly delay the project, eight of the nine aspects of the FEIS have been affirmed, and BIOBY remains confident in Enbridge’s ability to continue moving forward with the regulatory process.

Line 3 is the most closely-studied pipeline project in the state’s history, and Enbridge along with their many partners are committed to completing the necessary work safely. We stand with Enbridge because we know we can do it here – better – in our backyard.