ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota regulators have given Enbridge Energy a green light for the company's proposal for replacing its deteriorating Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.
The Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Thursday to grant a certificate of need for Enbridge. The Calgary, Alberta-based company says the pipeline needs replacing for safety and reliability because its maintenance needs are accelerating.
Line 3 was built in the 1960s. It runs from Alberta across North Dakota and Minnesota to Enbridge's terminal in Superior, Wisconsin.
The commission voted later to approve the route with several conditions. The current route runs across two American Indian reservations whose tribes strongly oppose the project. The PUC approved a route slightly different that the route Enbridge wanted, with conditions to move the pipeline slightly further away from the Big Sandy Lake, the region's water and wild rice sacred to area tribes.
Climate change and tribal activists are fighting the project. They note the new pipeline would carry Canadian tar sands oil and risk spills in areas of Minnesota where Native Americans harvest wild rice. They're expected to challenge the commission's decision in court. Protesters also plan to gather south of Duluth on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border where the pipeline is under construction.
Gov. Mark Dayton released the following statement:
“Many people hold passionate views on this project. I urge everyone to express themselves peacefully. The PUC’s decision is not the final approval of this pipeline. Rather, it only allows Enbridge to begin to apply for at least 29 required federal, state, and local permits.
“Those regulatory reviews, which address numerous issues not considered by the PUC, will take several months. Approvals are by no means assured, and they would require any such project to meet Minnesota’s highest standards, protecting all our state's earth, air, water, natural resources, and cultural heritage. I assure that state agencies will fully uphold those high standards, as they review these applications. Construction cannot and will not begin unless Enbridge receives all required permit approvals.”
Enbridge also released a statement. The company must secure 29 more permits and complete a study of the tribal land before construction.
"Commenting on the PUC decision, Al Monaco, President & CEO, Enbridge Inc. said: “We are very pleased that the PUC has determined the Line 3 Replacement Project is needed for Minnesota. Replacing Line 3 is first and foremost about the safety and integrity of this critical energy infrastructure. This project will also help ensure Minnesota and area refineries reliably receive the crude oil supply they need for the benefit of all Minnesotans and the surrounding region.”
“The PUC’s decision to approve our preferred route with modifications is a good outcome for Minnesota and the result of listening carefully to stakeholders and an effective consultation process. We believe our route best protects the environment and has overwhelming support of communities.”
“We want to thank the thousands of Minnesotans, including unions, farmers, small business owners, civic leaders and all others for their hard work in support of this critical project. We would also like to thank the PUC for their very thorough and well considered decision as well as all the state agencies and others involved in this process.”