Project permitting in Minnesota would become clearer and better coordinated under an amendment that passed the Minnesota Senate.
As moved forward by Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, the legislation would allow proposed projects to request a “Coordinated Project Plan,” through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The reform proposal would go a long way in supporting industries in northeastern Minnesota, Hauschild said via text.
“From the failed Huber project and Cirrus Aircraft’s recent expansion to Cleveland-Cliffs upcoming Hibbing Taconite plans and long awaited non-ferrous mining projects, my Coordinated Project Plan proposal would help industry navigate permitting and encourage our agencies to meet deadlines,” Hauschild said. “We need Minnesota to stay competitive and that’s exactly why nearly every stakeholder supports this permitting reform proposal. We need to finally take a step in the right direction after 14 years of failed reform packages and that’s exactly what I’m aiming to do.
The amendment is now included in a larger Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act.
But questions remain whether the amendment language will remain within the larger permitting act and whether improvement in mine permitting comes from the larger bill.
Minnesota ranks 43rd in the United States in mining gross domestic product this decade, well behind Michigan, a direct competitor in iron ore mining, according to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Sen. Rob Farnsworth, R-Hibbing said.
Minnesota has lost major companies like Huber Engineered Woods, Epitome Energy as well some of the proposed Talon Metals operation to states with more favorable business and permitting rules, Farnsworth said.
Farnsworth said he supported amendments to the larger permitting act, but not the permitting act itself.
A Senate Republican amendment proposed serious changes to permitting, including a requirement for state agencies to meet permitting deadlines or file an extension, which they’re not currently required to do, Farnsworth said.
“The (larger) bill moved wind and solar to the front of the permitting reform line while every other industry that’s been waiting for permitting is stuck,” Farnsworth said. “I voted for the amendments that would have provided permitting reform to all industry, especially mining.”
The Republican amendment was voted down on a party line vote, he said.
“This bill is going to conference committee with the House and I question whether the small changes that may help will stay in the bill,” Farnsworth said. “The opportunity to improve mining permitting with real changes to the bill was today, and every Democrat voted against it.”
Permitting for some proposed major projects in northeastern Minnesota has been a major issue.
Two major economic development projects in northeastern Minnesota, New Range Copper Nickel and Twin Metals Minnesota, have for about two decades been working through permitting and legal challenges.
The two projects could create thousands of construction and permanent jobs and generate millions of dollars each year to the local and state economy and provide revenue to schools.
“This is a modest, but important step towards creating a permitting environment that allows Minnesota and Minnesotans to thrive, create and build for the future,” Julie Lucas, MiningMinnesota executive director said of Hauschild’s amendment.
Hauschild’s amendment passed the Senate 35 to 32 with bipartisan support, Hauschild said in a news release.
“Unfortunately, far too many politicians have let perfect be the enemy of good when it comes to getting permitting reform done,” Hauschild said in a news release. “It is for that reason that reform continues to fail, and it is why I’m proud to present an idea that finally brings meaningful permitting reform that will help our industries navigate the permitting process, keep Minnesota competitive, and help create jobs across Minnesota. It’s not everything we need, but it will move us in the right direction and that could make all the difference in the future.”
The Hauschild amendment requires state agencies to within 60 days of receiving a request to prepare a plan that would require a list of involved agencies, their responsibilities, a schedule of public meetings, and deadlines for environmental review and permits.
It would also require quarterly updates to project plans and annual reports to the legislature on why deadlines aren’t met.
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Building and Construction Trades, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Minnesota Utilities, Minnesota Rural Electric Association, AgriGrowth, MiningMinnesota, Area Partnership for Economic Expansion, and other stakeholders, have supported Hauschild’s reform package, according to the news release.
The larger bill now goes to conference committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
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