Opponents are pleased a measure to proceed with a land swap for the controversial PolyMet project in northern Minnesota has been dropped from a major bill in Congress. Aaron Klemz with Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy expects several lawsuits put on hold will now move forward. He says, “We’ve been waiting for 16 months to have the courts hear our case, arguing that the Polymet land exchange illegally undervalued the land that PolyMet would receive.” Nancy Norr with the group Jobs for Minnesotans responds, “PolyMet already owns the mineral rights, so what you’re really doing is comparing apples and oranges.”
Norr says backers will regroup and explore what other paths remain in Congress to get the PolyMet project done.