Minnesota's Infrastructure Union Responds to Governor Walz's Decision to Renew Appeal of PUC Order on Line 3 Replacement Project

Saint Paul, MN — Today, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota expressed disappointment, yet again, in Governor Walz’s decision to appeal the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) order approving the Certificate of Need for the Line 3 Replacement project.

Joel Smith, President and Business Manager said, “We are frustrated that after six years of process, we are wasting more time to rehash the same tired arguments while working families struggle to get by.

“This sends the wrong message to thousands of trades workers across the state, including our LIUNA brothers and sisters, who provide for their families by building and maintaining our energy infrastructure.

“The family-sustaining jobs and business opportunities that can be created by replacing Line 3 are lifelines for local workers and communities, who desperately need this project to have a fighting chance at economic recovery amidst this pandemic.

“We do not advocate for the approval of the Line 3 Replacement simply to create jobs. We need to replace the existing badly-deteriorated pipeline in order to protect environmental and tribal resources. But if there were ever a time when thousands of family-sustaining jobs on critical infrastructure projects were needed, it is right now.”

The Minnesota Court of Appeals will determine the next steps with respect to the appeals. LIUNA is confident that the court will uphold the PUC’s decision to approve the pipeline.