WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/07/2012) - The Wisconsin Senate, by a close vote, did not approve the Open-Pit Mining Bill forwarded to the State Senators to consider, and Clean Wisconsin is happy the issue has hit another stumbling block. Republican Senator Darling, however, is very disappointed. The State Senate rejected the Joint Finance Committee’s version of the open-pit mining bill, Tuesday, March 6th, by a 17-16 vote and sent it back to committee.

"The Wisconsin Senate stood with the people of Wisconsin today by rejecting the Joint Finance Committee’s version of the open-pit mining bill, which rolls back commonsense environmental protections and limits the voice of the people in the mine permit process," said Clean Wisconsin Government Relations Director Amber Meyer Smith.

"Over the last few months, Wisconsin residents have made one thing clear: they oppose weakening environmental standards for mining," Smith said.

"We applaud the seventeen senators who listened to the voice of Wisconsin residents and stood up to the bully tactics of out-of-state mining interests by opposing this bill," Clean Wisconsin's Amber Meyer Smith continued.

"Tonight we especially applaud the efforts of Senators Schultz and Jauch who reached across party-lines, traveled to the proposed mine site, listened to concerns of people across the state, sought input from all stakeholders, and took a firm stand against weakening environmental protections," Smith said.

"As the session winds to a close, we will be vigilant of any attempt to weaken environmental protections for mining," Clean Wisconsin Government Relations Director Amber Meyer Smith added.

State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) expressed her displeasure after Senate Democrats rallied and voted down the mining compromise with the help of Senators Schultz and Jauch.

"The State Senate had a chance to create an environment for hundreds if not thousands of good paying jobs in Northern and Southeastern Wisconsin," Senator Darling stated.

"The compromise we reached after hours of good faith negotiations protected the environment while making sure a clean and safe ferrous mine could operate in our state," Senator Darling said.

"I am amazed to see Senators, who have watched for years as MMSD dumped raw sewage into Lake Michigan, raise environmental concerns over a bill that provides real protections for the water near the proposed mine," Darling continued.

"I will continue to look for real solutions, but I fear the Democrats in the Senate feel it's more important for Scott Walker to lose his job than it is to provide jobs to thousands of folks in our state," Senator Darling suggested.

Senator Darling represents portions of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties.


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