Peterson Statement on MPCA Contested Case Hearing on Line 3

Detroit Lakes, Minn. -- Today the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced it will grant a contested case hearing on the agency’s draft 401 water quality certification for Enbridge’s Line 3 replacement project. The Army Corps of Engineers will be extending its deadline for the project’s 401 certification from August 15 to November 14, 2020 to accommodate the hearing.

In their announcement, MPCA stated that the contested case hearing will focus on Enbridge’s water crossing methods to ensure all impacted streams and wetlands are protected.

“I’m frustrated to see progress on the Line 3 Pipeline held up,” Repreesentative Collin Peterson said. “These delays impact not just our rural economies and the potential for good jobs, but further stress the condition of the current pipeline that is deteriorating and needs to be upgraded. I encourage the Pollution Control Agency to move the project forward as quickly as possible. The project is shovel-ready and it would provide an immediate boost to Minnesota’s rural economy.”

Line 3 is a 1,097-mile crude oil pipeline constructed in the 1960’s that extends from Edmonton, Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin. Enbridge has replaced sections of Line 3 in Wisconsin and Canada and is currently pursuing permits to replace sections in North Dakota and Minnesota.