Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing criticism for opposing a Trump administration energy policy. On Tuesday, Walz issued an executive order to prevent mining permits and leases near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeast Minnesota. This region is partly under federal control. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed a law that counteracted a previous Biden administration order, allowing new mining leases in the area for the next 20 years.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, strongly criticized Walz’s decision. He labeled the move as “dangerous” and “stupid.” Emmer expressed concerns that this decision would increase reliance on foreign minerals and potentially harm national defense. He believes this order could negatively impact Minnesota’s economy and union jobs in the northern parts of the state. The legislation reversed by Trump’s signature was originally spearheaded by Representative Pete Stauber, another Republican from Minnesota.
The order by Walz mainly targets the mining of minerals such as copper and nickel. These metals are essential in the production of equipment like boat parts, electric vehicles, military gear, and commercial electronics. Northeastern Minnesota is believed to hold the largest untouched deposits of nickel and copper in North America, known as the Duluth Complex. Emmer argues that neglecting local resources gives a competitive edge to the Chinese metal mining sector.
Mining activities are already prohibited within the Boundary Waters itself. However, environmental advocates, who support Walz’s order, warn that mining in nearby protected lands may still endanger the inner region. According to MPR News, many Minnesotans invested years in advocating for these environmental protections.
“The federal government abandoned our canoe country earlier this year by removing protections painstakingly secured by hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans,” said Save The Boundary Waters Executive Director Ingrid Lyons. “Governor Walz is now taking significant steps to prevent toxic copper mining near the Boundary Waters.”
Emmer counters environmental groups’ arguments, asserting that everyone is an environmentalist wanting clean air and water. He argues for local mining operations under stringent regulations, rather than relying on foreign sources that may not observe the same environmental standards.
Fox News Digital sought a response from Walz’s office. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, leads coverage of the House of Representatives. Her previous work has appeared in Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send news tips to [email protected].