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Minnesota's Infrastructure Union Responds to MPCA Decision to Subject Line 3 to Second Contested Case Hearing

Saint Paul, MN — Today, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota expressed disappointment over the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision to order a second set of contested case hearings for the Line 3 Replacement Project before issuing a Section 401 water quality certification. The union calls the decision unprecedented and warns that it will needlessly delay a project with proven environmental and economic benefits.

“Northern Minnesota’s economy struggled before COVID, and today faces a full-scale depression with mines shutting down and thousands out of work, including many of our members,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. “We were hopeful construction of Line 3 would begin in July and provide a lifeline for area workers. This decision is a setback that wastes more months rehashing the same tired arguments while working families struggle to hang on. The facts are on our side, but time is not.”

LIUNA is confident the project will ultimately be approved. Public Utilities Commissioners appointed by Gov. Dayton and Gov. Walz affirmed on three 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 badly-deteriorated existing pipeline and congested rail lines, and provide a needed economic boost to Northern Minnesota, all without increasing net carbon emissions.

Chartered in 1968 by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota is based in Saint Paul and serves the members, families and retirees of five Local Unions: Local 563 (Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro, Mankato & Saint Cloud Areas & North Dakota); Local 405 (Rochester & Southeast Minnesota); Local 1091 (Duluth-Superior, Northeast Minnesota & Northwest Wisconsin); Local 1097 (Iron Range & Northern Minnesota); and Local 363 (City & County Employees Union of Minneapolis-Saint Paul & Greater Minnesota).

This is an independent expenditure prepared and paid for by LIUNA Minnesota, 81 E. Little Canada Road, Saint Paul, MN 55117. It is not coordinated with or approved by any candidate, nor is any candidate responsible for it.

LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota

81 E. Little Canada Road

Saint Paul, MN 55117

United States

 

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