In Attack on Tribal Communities and Clean Water, MN PUC Approves Line 3 Tar Sands Pipeline

Saint Paul, MN  -- Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to approve the Certificate of Need for Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 tar sands pipeline, in spite of ample evidence and expert testimony that the pipeline is not needed.

The PUC’s decision is in support of Enbridge’s plan to replace its existing Line 3 pipeline with a new, larger pipeline, threatening Minnesota’s clean water and Tribal communities. Enbridge is a Canadian pipeline company responsible for the biggest inland oil spill in U.S. history.

The PUC has not yet made a decision on the route permit for the pipeline. Enbridge has proposed to abandon its existing pipeline and build the new Line 3 along a different route through Northern Minnesota. In April, an administrative law judge recommended an in-trench replacement, requiring Enbridge to remove the existing pipeline and build the new one along the same route.

“Whatever route it takes, it is unacceptable to allow more dirty tar sands to flow through Minnesota, threatening our clean water, our communities, and our climate. It is shameful that the PUC chose to ignore the wishes of Minnesota communities and prioritize the desires of a foreign pipeline company over the best interest of our state,” said Margaret Levin, State Director for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter. “The Minnesota Department of Commerce’s independent analysis shows that this oil is not needed, and there’s simply no good reason to allow Enbridge to build a dangerous new tar sands pipeline here. We will continue to fight to ensure that this pipeline is never built.”

“In a vast overstep of their authority, the MN PUC has determined there is a need for this toxic pipeline, despite the recommendations of the DOC and the desires of the MN public.  This project threatens our waters, rice and Anishinaabe way of life,” said Winona LaDuke, Executive Director of Honor the Earth. “This also induces more tar sands projects in Canada.  This is the dirtiest fuel on the planet and puts our children’s generation at risk. This is an act of aggression by the Minnesota government and we will do what we need to legally protect our land.”

“We believe that Enbridge has not proven a need but the PUC has decided otherwise,” said James Reents of Northern Water Alliance. “The decision of route can still protect water rich Northern Minnesota. We will support and emphasize that the system alternative, SA-04, is the route which best protects our drinking water sources and Northern Minnesota’s recreation economy. Neither the Enbridge proposal nor in-trench replacement is either desirable or positive for the water we cherish.”

"Today, the PUC decided to put the profits of a Canadian pipeline company over the lives of Minnesotans," said Andy Pearson, Midwest Tar Sands Coordinator with MN350. "Regardless of the route the commissioners select, a new Line 3 would put a $287 billion climate change cost on future generations. This decision is contrary to the expert recommendations of the Department of Commerce, not supported by the record, and we will continue to fight it."

"Today the PUC decided to be on the wrong side of history,” said Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches. “This pipeline, no matter its route, is a moral failure. As people of faith we know all life is sacred, and we are called to stand with those most impacted by dangerous projects like Line 3."

“This is continued warfare on our people. The trauma will continue, and they're okay with leaving our future generations a poisoned future,” said Youth Climate Intervenor Nina Berglund. “Money, jobs, and greed is obviously more important to Minnesota than the lives of the men, women, children who WILL be affected by this project. We will not receive justice until Minnesota cuts their ties with these large oil companies and look towards a clean and renewable future.”