The media is now working overtime to rewrite the background of the Harris-Waltz candidacy. With all attention now shifting to Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, the media has a tough job ahead of them.
Expect a new, polished version of Waltz, portrayed as a moderate working man from the Midwest, meant to balance Kamala's left-wing liberalism. But that's not who Waltz is. America's steelworkers, their families, and the community around the Twin Metals mine in northeastern Minnesota know this all too well. (Related: Morgan Murphy: Tim Waltz Stole My Courage)
Northeastern Minnesota is rich in important strategic metals that are key to modern life. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an area called the Duluth Complex: house to the world's largest untapped deposits of nickel, cobalt and platinum-group minerals (PGMs).
In particular, the Twin Metals Mine is positioned as the most advanced underground mining facility within the Duluth complex. Advanced and accurate methods A mining method that can supply a growing market with these much-needed metals.
Considering that these metals are key components in cell phones and automobiles (both gasoline and electric), as well as solar panels and wind turbines, having these minerals in the U.S. should be good news. This should be especially true for a Biden-Harris Administration that is committed to restructuring and “greening” America's utilities and the entire auto industry.
From a practical standpoint, such a restructuring would require the large quantities of minerals present in the Twin Metals mine and which are highly accessible. One estimate To meet electrification targets, they suggest, humanity will need to produce as much copper in the next 25 years as it has produced in the past 5,000 years.
Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris Administration has not only canceled two long-term mining leases for the Twin Metals mine, but has also imposed a 20-year moratorium on the surrounding area. decision The 750 direct jobs and 1,500 derived jobs in the surrounding area that the mine was meant to support were at risk. (Related article: Vice Presidential candidate Harris endorses bill allowing states to take away custody of children from parents who oppose gender reassignment surgery)
Many of these jobs were United Steelworkers jobs, which were slated to build and operate the $1.7 billion mine. The Biden-Harris Administration has talked a lot about creating green energy jobs, but has taken many steps to cancel jobs that actually existed.
Waltz oversaw the entire debacle, and the Twin Metals mine and local employers association asked I asked for a lifeline following the cancellation of the Biden-Harris presidential election, to which he responded… process!Specifically, Walz's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has authorized the mine to explore for minerals on surrounding state and private lands, but reiterated that no actual mining will take place, and that such a decision is likely years away following “lengthy environmental studies and permitting.”
To put it in less bureaucratic terms, this is project analysis paralysis.
These canceled mining projects and jobs would have been done to U.S. safety and environmental standards. Instead, China will reap the benefits of the Biden-Harris Administration's cancellations and Walz's complacency.
In addition to concerns about the negative environmental impacts, some reports have revealed that foreign minerals are being mined using child labor. From a national security perspective, this anti-development approach is equally harmful as America's reliance on foreign minerals continues to grow. In particular, the Twin Metals mine is rich in minerals, which the U.S. cannot afford to exploit. The country is dependent on imports for 50% of its nickel, 79% of its platinum, 76% of its cobalt, and 37% of its copper.
Those who have closely watched Walz in action, including Republicans, Congressman Pete Staubersounded the alarm result Because of his anti-mining, anti-energy policies, electricity prices in Minnesota It soared For residents.
It's even worse for businesses. Minnesota currently has Highest Industrial Power Midwest Prices.
Waltz's homely appearance aside, he has embraced California-style climate change zealotry to the extreme. He calls the state “100% carbon-free electricity by 2040” It is estimated that Fee It could lead to billions of dollars in losses, a doubling of electricity bills by 2034, power outages and job losses.
He also wants to ban gasoline-powered vehicles in the process. (RELATED: Gov. Tim Walz's first executive action was to create a 'Diversity, Inclusion and Equity' Council)
Walz's aggressive, anti-development approach, especially on energy and the environment, is similar to that of declining socialist countries. It's no wonder Minnesota has been hit so hard. Failure Under his leadership.
No matter how the media portrays him, they cannot erase his record of selling out the Twin Metals mine workers to the liberal left.
Mandy Gunasekara served as chief of staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Trump.
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