Last week we reported that Senator Sarah Anthony had confirmed the $50 million Michigan grant to the proposed Copperwood Mine had expired at the end of last year and would need to restart the process from the beginning in order to advance. When journalists reached out to verify this information (released on March 31st), the Senator said the situation had changed. Although the grant did indeed expire, it has assumed a new form which may be voted upon this year! 

On April 23rd, Rep. Markkanen introduced a Legislative Transfer Request for $50 million, effectively replacing the SOAR-funded grant. This appears to be the exact same beast as before, but under a different guise. The full details are still emerging, with a piece to be released in Bridge Michigan later today. 

What you will notice when reading the new Legislative Transfer Request is the complete lack of a mention of the Copperwood Mine. This is quite an interesting tactic, not to mention dishonest. Now the $50 million is being requested in the name of "community infrastructure," with no acknowledgement that the chief purpose of saod infrastructure is to facilitate Copperwood's development. We must not be fooled, and we must not allow our elected officials to be fooled either.

We are as disappointed by this news as you are. Take some time to be bummed. But when you’re ready, that disappointment must give way to renewed vigor. If anything, let us be grateful for this much-needed kick in the rear: Now is not the time to rest! Now is the time for action!

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The new Legislative Transfer Request was introduced on the same day an April 23rd opinion piece was published in the Detroit News, signed by four Upper Peninsula legislators, titled, “The Solution to America's Copper Shortage is in Michigan.” Specifically? Copperwood.

This is a disingenuous piece of writing for many reasons. Here are but a few:

• How can there be a “copper shortage” when the U.S. Geological Survey, the highest authority on the matter, has denied the metal “critical mineral” status due to no undersupply?
• How can Copperwood be the answer to America’s non-existent copper problem, when Copperwood’s copper would be shipped to Canada?
• How can the article cite “extensive mining experience” when the so-called “mining company” has never developed or operated a mine?
• And most egregiously, how many times do you think the piece references either the Porcupine Mountains or Lake Superior? Not once. Friends, these operations do not exist in a vacuum, and to fail to even mention the majesty surrounding the proposed mine site on all sides is snake oil at its finest.

Most importantly, this article is a clear sign of a renewed push to see the $50 million corporate welfare handout gain support among the public before being voted upon in the Michigan Congress.

We must be pro-active. We must counter disinformation with actual truth. You may find our full response, submitted to the Detroit News, at the bottom of this message. We do not expect it to be published. Whereas a group of legislators will automatically get spotlight for any old rag, even one soaked in Grade A nonsense, a normal citizen who takes time to get the facts right faces an uphill battle for exposure.

Fortunately, our movement has always found its strength in numbers. Thus, today we invite you to join us in our next Collective Action!

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Announcing the Protect the Porkies Letter Writing Campaign

Today we are asking all Michigan residents to craft a Letter to the Editor / Opinion Piece in opposition to the proposed Michigan grant (or in opposition to the mine itself), to be submitted to all of your local print and digital publications, and state-wide publications as well. Although the grant is not yet under discussion, we can clearly see the Copperwood forces taking steps to control the conversation, and we must be swift and potent in our response. Those from out-of-state may consider participating as well: remember that Lake Superior, in addition to being international waters, is the largest, cleanest surface freshwater reserve on Earth, and the Porcupine Mountains are a world-renowned tourist destination and rare old-growth ecosystem. These places belong to everyone, and they belong to no one but themselves.

Fortunately, Letters to the Editor are typically quite short, so it’s not a daunting task to write one. To get started, go to ProtectThePorkies.com and browse the Top Ten list of reasons to oppose the Copperwood Mine.

Rather than trying to cover everything in your letter, concentrate on a few arguments which resonate most with you personally.

Of course, we all care about Michigan’s water and wilderness, as well as outdoor recreation, but you might also mention that:

• the copper will be shipped to Canada with no promise of return
• copper is not even a “critical mineral,” so there is no shortage and thus no urgency
• this is an inexperienced company which has never developed or operated a mine
• the operation would board up shop in 10.7 years, with many jobs going to specialized non-residents, so short-term economic benefits are minimal
• and in the long term, the research is clear that boom-and-bust mining leaves communities worse off than they started (see the Number One Reason on the website)

Also consider concluding your letter with a Call to Action: Tell readers to contact the members of the Michigan House and Senate Appropriations Committees and urge them to reject the grant of $50 million taxpayer dollars to the proposed Copperwood Mine, whenever it reaches their desks.

And if you get a letter published, please let us know! We’ll circulate it around, give you a shout out, and send you some of our new stickers.

Please find some time today, tomorrow, or this weekend to pick up the quill! There isn't a moment to spare. Our Land, Water, and Wildlife thank you.

In solidarity,
Tom and the Protect the Porkies team
ProtectThePorkies@gmail.com

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