Polluting ND

[1bigfokker]

Yes, taconite processing is environmentally harmful. The mining and processing of this low-grade iron ore emits hazardous air pollutants like mercury and heavy metals, poses risks to surrounding waterways through bioaccumulation, and has historically caused massive ecological and public health crises through water contamination.The environmental and public health concerns surrounding taconite include:Mercury Pollution: Processing taconite requires heating the ore to high temperatures, which is a major source of mercury emissions. These emissions drift through the air and settle into lakes and rivers, turning into highly toxic methylmercury that builds up in fish and poses severe neurological risks to wildlife and humans who eat them.Heavy Metals & Air Toxics: Facilities emit particulate matter, lead, manganese, and acid gases, prompting legal battles over the regulation and enforcement of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air standards.Water Contamination: Tailings (the leftover crushed rock) can alter local aquatic ecosystems. Notably, in the 1960s and 1970s, companies dumped nearly 67,000 tons of taconite tailings containing microscopic asbestos-like fibers into Lake Superior daily, prompting landmark EPA lawsuits and water supply upgrades for nearby communities like Duluth, Minnesota.If you're interested in taconite's local impact, I can help you find:Current EPA air and water regulations specific to the Midwest mining regionReports on taconite's health impacts on nearby communities and mine workersDetails on the Reserve Mining controversy in Lake Superior

Looks like a perfect fit for ND.

 

[measure-it]

We try very hard to find ways to totally f up Mother Earth!

 

[SerchforPerch]

Yes, taconite processing is environmentally harmful. The mining and processing of this low-grade iron ore emits hazardous air pollutants like mercury and heavy metals, poses risks to surrounding waterways through bioaccumulation, and has historically caused massive ecological and public health crises through water contamination.The environmental and public health concerns surrounding taconite include:Mercury Pollution: Processing taconite requires heating the ore to high temperatures, which is a major source of mercury emissions. These emissions drift through the air and settle into lakes and rivers, turning into highly toxic methylmercury that builds up in fish and poses severe neurological risks to wildlife and humans who eat them.Heavy Metals & Air Toxics: Facilities emit particulate matter, lead, manganese, and acid gases, prompting legal battles over the regulation and enforcement of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air standards.Water Contamination: Tailings (the leftover crushed rock) can alter local aquatic ecosystems. Notably, in the 1960s and 1970s, companies dumped nearly 67,000 tons of taconite tailings containing microscopic asbestos-like fibers into Lake Superior daily, prompting landmark EPA lawsuits and water supply upgrades for nearby communities like Duluth, Minnesota.If you're interested in taconite's local impact, I can help you find:Current EPA air and water regulations specific to the Midwest mining regionReports on taconite's health impacts on nearby communities and mine workersDetails on the Reserve Mining controversy in Lake Superior

Looks like a perfect fit for ND.

This sounds very environmental activist like and hypocritical. I'm guessing you believe the world to be a better place without industry - while enjoying a house full of products that only exist because of it? Your statement above seems AI generated, but you know there are rules and regulations for industrial air, waste and water emissions to protect the environment. Its all public knowledge, look up some of the operating permits for the taconite industry and educate yourself.

 

[1bigfokker]

No I'm not an activist. MN is trashing ND with their industry and people. Just sayin.

 

[Obi-Wan]

 

[LBrandt]

That is going to draw a lot lot of flies. LB

 

[tikkalover]

Here is the link to a Google article

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/energy/articles/proposed-north-dakota-pig-iron-100056063.html

 

[ORCUS DEMENS]

This sounds very environmental activist like and hypocritical. I'm guessing you believe the world to be a better place without industry - while enjoying a house full of products that only exist because of it? Your statement above seems AI generated, but you know there are rules and regulations for industrial air, waste and water emissions to protect the environment. Its all public knowledge, look up some of the operating permits for the taconite industry and educate yourself.

The current national EPA has stated they put the company profits above the environment and have been actively removing these ecological protections.
I remember the "Good Old Days" dead lake and fish, no game birds and seeing a single deer would stop traffic as they were so rare.
Yes we need to do better with making things in the U.S.. That being said, we as a country need to find a better way of achieving this goal. The Japanese learned to make cars from the big three automakers and did as they were told, not like how the auto giants actually made cars. In the 80's they kicked butt with an inexpensive, efficient, well made vehicle.
Politicians and business leaders are stuck in short term thinking, take the money an run and leave others to clean up the mess. When you agree to pay a 1 billion dollar fine on 20 billion dollars profit, it is just a day in the office. Make them live downwind of projects like this and you know their viewpoint would be different.

 

[Davy Crockett]

This pig iron idea/business will be short lived . As soon as the tariffs are lifted it will no longer be feasible again. History repeats itself.

 

[measure-it]

Keep it out of ND. More jobs/industry is good, but the after-effects
are bad: mercury, heavy metals, air & ground waste---bad-bad!

 

[tikkalover]

So the very first post I posted says 700 acres and 500 jobs.

The link I posted yesterday says 2500 acres and 650 jobs.

Guessing some city and county commissioners will be getting something under the table to get this thing up and running and over look how much water it uses and the pollution it will cause.

 

[SerchforPerch]

This pig iron idea/business will be short lived . As soon as the tariffs are lifted it will no longer be feasible again. History repeats itself.

Based on the articles Ive read, the project is currently in the permitting, engineering and design phase, with construction still slated to begin in 2027. From a project tracking perspective, its important to recognize the facility is being developed around a "green steel" initiative that relies on two key technologies to reduce its emission profile - Natural gas and carbon capture. Each have its challenges from a gas supply and receiving 45Q tax credit perspective. From a permitting standpoint some critical milestones need to occur before drawing any conclusion to whether this project will happen or not.