Saint Paul, MN — Today, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota expressed strong support for the Minnesota Public Utility Commission’s decision to reaffirm orders approving a Certificate of Need, Route Permit and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Line 3 Replacement Project.
Joel Smith, President and Business Manager said, “Northern Minnesota’s economy struggled before COVID, and today faces a full-scale depression with mines and plants shutting down and thousands out of work, including many of our members.
“Construction of Line 3 will provide a lifeline for thousands of area workers and businesses. We thank Chair Sieben and the Commissioners for recognizing the need to move this critical infrastructure project forward.
In addition to boosting our flagging economy, the Line 3 Replacement will better protect environmental and tribal resources by replacing the existing pipeline and re-routing it to avoid the Leech Lake Reservation. It’s a win for Minnesota and the time to build is now.”
Public Utilities Commissioners appointed by Gov. Dayton and Gov. Walz have now affirmed on four separate occasions that replacing the existing pipeline is the safest and best option for Minnesota. Tens of thousands of pages of expert testimony and evidence have proven that the project will significantly reduce the risk of spills from a deteriorated existing pipeline and congested rail lines, and provide a needed economic boost to Northern Minnesota, all without increasing net carbon emissions.