Gabby Brown, 914-261-4626, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Natalie Cook, 651-295-3483, natalie.cook@sierraclub.org
Martin Keller, 612-729-8585, mkeller@mediasavantcom.com
Saint Paul, MN -- Today, opponents of Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 tar sands pipeline filed multiple lawsuits with the Court of Appeals challenging the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approval of a certificate of need permit for the project. On June 28, the PUC approved Enbridge’s proposal to build a new Line 3 pipeline, which would run through Northern Minnesota and double the amount of tar sands oil running through the pipeline.
A joint appeal was filed today by Honor the Earth, the Sierra Club, and the Red Lake and White Earth Bands. The Youth Climate Intervenors and Friends of the Headwaters are also filing appeals today. The groups argue that Enbridge’s application is insufficient because the company never submitted the required oil demand forecast, ignoring current trends toward climate policy and electric vehicle adoption that could reduce the future need for the pipeline. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has also filed its own challenge to the PUC’s decision.
"Line 3 would pose an unacceptable threat to the rights, health, and way of life of the Ojibwe people," said Joe Plumer, Attorney for the Red Lake and White Earth Bands. "The PUC was wrong to allow Enbridge to build Line 3 through treaty-protected lands, and we look forward to making our case in court."
“These lawsuits underscore the reality that the tar sands industry is dying,” adds Winona LaDuke, Executive Director and co-founder of Honor the Earth. “There is no need to compromise the integrity of our water or civil rights for a Canadian corporation.”
"If the PUC had done an adequate review of Line 3, it would have been clear that this pipeline is not needed and that the risks to our water, communities, and climate far outweigh any possible benefit," said Margaret Levin, State Director for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter. "Minnesotans deserve better than Enbridge's dirty tar sands pipeline, and today we continue the fight to ensure that it is never built."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.