Upper Midwest scrap dealers sued Minnesota last week, claiming that state's new copper theft law will harm scrap metal businesses.
The law would prohibit peddlers from selling copper to scrap yards without buying a $250/yr permit. The state is trying to prevent thieves from stealing copper wire from public infrastructure such as light posts.
The upper Midwest chapter of the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) said the law would "effectively shut down Minnesota's scrap metal industry" in the lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The law does not differentiate between sources of copper, which is found in "virtually all scrap metal," including jewelry, coins, cars and consumer electronics, the complaint says. ReMA asked the Ramsey County District Court to declare the law unconstitutional.
The law, which takes effect 1 January, would allow licensed plumbers, electricians and workers in other trades to sell copper without a permit.
Market demand for copper is causing thieves to steel the red metal at higher rates, according to the city of St Paul, Minnesota. Copper wire theft forced St. Paul to spend $1.2 million fixing streetlights and signals in 2023, the city said.
Argus assessed bare bright copper scrap delivered to yards in the Midwest on Monday at $3.42/lb. The price was $3.25/lb a year earlier.
