Peterson Statement on Decision to Appeal Certificate of Need for Line 3

(Detroit Lakes, Minn.) – Congressman Collin Peterson issued the following statement in response to the Minnesota Department of Commerce decision to appeal the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) order approving the Certificate of Need for the Line 3 Replacement project.

“I’m frustrated that instead of giving the approval to create jobs and provide a source of revenue for counties across northern Minnesota, there’s yet another state agency delaying progress on the Line 3 Pipeline replacement,” Rep. Peterson said. “This project should have been done a year ago.”

Peterson noted the project will add an additional $35 million in property tax revenue for rural communities in Northern Minnesota. Additionally, it brings $2 billion in private infrastructure investment to Minnesota and more than 6,500 jobs the state over two-years. These are good paying jobs, and 4,000 will be union jobs.

Pipelines are among the safest and most efficient methods of transporting fuel. A replacement will significantly improve Line 3’s environmental footprint and integrity with the installation of state-of-the-art technologies. The existing pipeline needs to be replaced, and a modern replacement also significantly lowers the risk of a spill, and it means fewer heavy oil trucks and railroad tanker cars rolling through towns.

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 has been pursuing permits to replace sections in Minnesota since 2014.

“Enbridge is truly appreciative of Congressman Peterson’s ongoing support of Line 3. Rep. Peterson understands the need for Line 3 and what it means for the economic vitality of the 7th Congressional district,” said Jason Grev, Enbridge Government Relations Director.

“LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, Minnesota’s infrastructure union, is grateful for Rep. Collin Peterson’s strong support of the Line 3 Replacement,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager. “Rep. Peterson understands we need to replace the existing badly-deteriorated pipeline in order to protect environmental and tribal resources and create thousands of family-sustaining jobs. We are confident the court will uphold the PUC’s decision to approve the pipeline and we look forward to moving forward with construction in December.”

“We are very confident that this appeal has no merit and will not be successful,” said International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 Business Manager Jason George. “Going forward, we are grateful to have Rep. Peterson’s unwavering support and we sincerely hope the Governor keeps his commitment to fairness and allows his agencies to grant the basic construction permits needed in the next few months. We also hope the Governor gets back to his vision of One Minnesota where everyone’s views, not just those of twin cities activists, but of everyone in our state, are respected.”

BACKGROUND:

Congressman Peterson has worked on a bipartisan basis to support the project on the federal level with former Congressman Rick Nolan and Congressman Pete Stauber.