Author Of Mining Bill Criticizes EPA For Role In Mining Company’s Departure

The lead author of Wisconsin’s controversial iron mining bill said he’s disappointed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for causing the mining company Gogebic Taconite to pull back on it’s proposed northern Wisconsin mine.

On Friday, Gogebic Taconite, also known as GTAC, announced it was closing its Hurley office due in part to uncertainty over how the Environmental Protection Agency would approach the proposed mine, given its record with a different Alaskan mining project. State Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, said in the case of the Pebble mine, the EPA decided to limit mining project even before the company applied for a permit.

“It’s very clear — the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama is anti-mining,” said Tiffany. “They do not want to see it happen here in the United States.”

Tiffany said his iron mining bill created certainty for GTAC they won’t see at the federal level. GTAC said it may still apply for a mining permit but can’t justify the cost of keeping an office open in the state.