OUR VIEW: MORE-REASONABLE MINING REVIEWS ARE NEEDED

Wednesday January 11, 2023

Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board
January 11, 2023
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/editorials/our-view-more-reasonable-mining-reviews-are-needed

The government shouldn’t need 10 years, 15 years, or even longer to decide about a mining or other industrial project. But look no further than Northeastern Minnesota and PolyMet Mining’s proposal for just one maddening example of an anti-business, anti-industry, excessive permitting process.

For the second time in four months, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Hermantown, has introduced a bill in Congress to fix that — to “streamline the permitting process for mining projects nationwide to secure domestic mineral supply chains.” A statement from Stauber’s office this week used the word “streamline.” A reasonable timeframe for decision-making seems simply respectful and responsible, though. And who doesn’t want government at all levels to be respectful and responsible?

Stauber’s Permitting for Mining Needs (PERMIT-MN) Act can be signed into law not as some sort of giveaway to industry or mining, as opponents undoubtedly will charge, but because it’s the way permitting and government ought to work.

Read the full article here.