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Georgia Pacific Plant In Minn. To Reopen Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- The Georgia Pacific plant in Duluth is set to reopen after being idled by the Minnesota government shutdown.

The plant was forced to shut down Wednesday because the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources had said the plant's water-use permit was invalid during the government shutdown.

The plant is scheduled to reopen Saturday after the DNR reauthorized use of a surface water permit.

A Georgia Pacific spokeswoman in Atlanta tells the Duluth News Tribune the company received notice from the DNR that they could operate under the existing permit and renew water use. The plant uses Lake Superior water for cooling before releasing it into the bay.

The plant shutdown put nearly 150 workers off the job. The plant manufactures Superwood, a thin hardboard used in the auto industry.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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