US Congress Launches Investigation into Environmental Groups Opposing Twin Metals Mining Project
A US Congressional committee has launched an investigation into three environmental groups and the Biden administration over alleged "collusion" between them on a ban on mining within the same watershed as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The probe seeks evidence of improper relationships between the groups and government officials.
The House Committee on Natural Resources, led by Republicans Pete Stauber, Bruce Westerman, and Paul Gosar, sent letters to the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, and the Wilderness Society, requesting documents and communications between these groups and Biden's U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior.
Environmentalists argue that the investigation is a "power grab" aimed at intimidating citizens who oppose mining in northern Minnesota. Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, accused the committee of abusing its power and not targeting Twin Metals itself, which has been accused of having close ties to the Biden administration.
Twin Metals' plans to build an underground copper-nickel mine were effectively derailed by the Biden administration's ban on mining within the same watershed as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. However, the Trump administration has vowed to reverse this decision and return Twin Metals leases.
Suckling pointed out that his organization had met with federal officials at least 18 times during a lawsuit over the matter but claimed it did not have any meetings while the suit was active. He also highlighted Twin Metals' high lobbying expenses and the connections between its executives and prominent figures in the Trump administration, including Ivanka and Jared Kushner.
The investigation appears to be part of an ongoing battle between environmental groups and mining interests in northern Minnesota.
A US Congressional committee has launched an investigation into three environmental groups and the Biden administration over alleged "collusion" between them on a ban on mining within the same watershed as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The probe seeks evidence of improper relationships between the groups and government officials.
The House Committee on Natural Resources, led by Republicans Pete Stauber, Bruce Westerman, and Paul Gosar, sent letters to the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, and the Wilderness Society, requesting documents and communications between these groups and Biden's U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior.
Environmentalists argue that the investigation is a "power grab" aimed at intimidating citizens who oppose mining in northern Minnesota. Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, accused the committee of abusing its power and not targeting Twin Metals itself, which has been accused of having close ties to the Biden administration.
Twin Metals' plans to build an underground copper-nickel mine were effectively derailed by the Biden administration's ban on mining within the same watershed as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. However, the Trump administration has vowed to reverse this decision and return Twin Metals leases.
Suckling pointed out that his organization had met with federal officials at least 18 times during a lawsuit over the matter but claimed it did not have any meetings while the suit was active. He also highlighted Twin Metals' high lobbying expenses and the connections between its executives and prominent figures in the Trump administration, including Ivanka and Jared Kushner.
The investigation appears to be part of an ongoing battle between environmental groups and mining interests in northern Minnesota.
. Like, seriously, what's going on here? You've got these environmental groups doing their job, trying to protect the environment for future generations, and then you've got this Congressional committee launching an investigation into them like they're some kind of enemy. It's just not right.
. Twin Metals is basically a goldmine (no pun intended), and if the administration wants to make some cash off that mine, it'll stop at nothing to silence those environmental groups. But what they're doing is actually quite transparent - these groups have been meeting with government officials, and they've even been working together on lawsuits.
.
. I mean, what's wrong with holding up on mining plans that could harm our natural resources? 
. The fact that they're investigating three environmental groups and the Biden administration without directly targeting Twin Metals itself raises some serious eyebrows 
. What's next, an investigation into every single environmental group in the US? 
It's a slippery slope, if you ask me...
I'm so tired of these Congressional reps trying to silence people who care about the environment 
. They're basically saying that if you want to protect our natural resources, you have to go against the mining industry 
.
for speaking truth to power 
. He knows that these groups aren't colluding with each other, they're just fighting for what's right 
. And yeah, Twin Metals has some shady connections with the Trump admin 
, but that doesn't mean we should be intimidated into not speaking out 
.
, but this investigation feels like a fishing trip to me 
. They're trying to pin something on these environmental groups without actually targeting Twin Metals themselves 
.
. I mean, come on, environmental groups are just trying to protect our planet for future generations. Don't get me wrong, transparency is important and all, but this feels like a huge overreach from Congress 
. And can we talk about the hypocrisy here? Twin Metals has been super active in lobbying efforts... that's not what I'd call "collusion" 
. Anyway, it just makes me so frustrated 
.
The US Congress is basically playing politics with people's lives and the environment. I mean, can't they see that this mine could have devastating effects on the ecosystem? 
, like, can't they just have a debate without throwing around accusations? 
it sounds like they're just making excuses for why they won't let the mine go through. and what's with the "power grab" comment? does that even make sense? like isn't the gov supposed to be doing its job? 
and dont even get me started on Twin Metals, those people are literally polluters incarnate 
. And yet the repubs still wanna give them a free pass because of some connections with the trump admin? No thanks 
... I just hope all these activists keep fightin for what they believe in, cuz its getting way too late for the repubs to turn things around 
. It's no wonder the Biden admin derailed those plans - they didn't want any part of that corrupt mining operation 
.
the eco orgs rnt even collusin with each other they just wanna protect the environment 
we need more ppl like them speakin out against these kinds of projects 
. I mean, what's wrong with having some dialogue between the gov't and these groups? It sounds like they're trying to bully them into doing their bidding 
I mean come on... this investigation is just another example of how politicians love to create drama 
where none exists. The real issue here is the mining project's impact on the environment, not some alleged "collusion" between environmental groups and the government 
.
. Let's get back to fact-based discussions and not spread misinformation 
.
This whole thing is super shady. Like, if they're really looking for evidence of collusions, why not investigate Twin Metals themselves? They've got some serious skeletons in their closet. 
The fact that the Biden administration banished the mine is a huge deal, and now it's all about finding dirt on those who opposed it... 
. Can't we just have a civil conversation about our differences? Like, what's up with the Republican Committee on Natural Resources sending out letters like that? It feels like they're trying to bully those environmental groups instead of having a genuine discussion 
