LANSING, MI — Republican lawmakers and U.S. steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs say an Upper Peninsula iron mine is at risk of closing if Democrats do not advance two energy bills intended to shield gas power plants from potential early retirement.

The Tilden Mine near Ishpeming, the nation’s second largest iron ore mine, “will be in jeopardy” of closure absent changes to Michigan’s clean energy reform laws passed two years ago, Cliffs executives warned during a Nov. 12 presser at the state capitol.

“That’s not a threat. It’s not an overstatement. It’s an economic reality,” said Patrick Bloom, Cleveland-Cliffs’ executive vice president for government relations.

Bloom stood with Republicans to push for House Bills 4007 and 4283 , which would allow 13 natural gas plants that were built in 201

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