Minnesota PUC Rules in Favor of Line 3 Replacement Project
Enbridge Inc. announced June 26 that its Line 3 Replacement Project will be able to move forward. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) voted to deny petitions for reconsideration filed on May 21, in the Line 3 Replacement Project (L3RP) environmental impact statement (EIS), certificate of need (CN) and route permit (RP) dockets.
The $2.9 billion (USD) U.S. portion of the Line 3 Replacement Project consists of replacing existing 34-in. pipe with new 36-in. pipe for 13 miles in North Dakota, 337 miles in Minnesota and 14 miles in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin portion was completed in 2018.
“The MPUC’s decision to deny the petitions for reconsideration is yet another important step forward for the Line 3 Replacement Project. This decision properly reflects the extensive and complete review that the project has undergone,” said Vern Yu, Enbridge executive vice P\president and president of liquids pipelines.
RELATED: Enbridge Line 3 Project to Proceed After Minnesota PUC Decision
The MPUC approved the project’s second revised Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and reaffirmed the pipeline’s applications for a certificate of need and routing permit in February.
L3RP not only meets Minnesota’s energy needs, it replaces an aging pipeline with one built to the newest standards and using modern construction techniques, according to a company statement. This is the safest and best option for protecting the environment and communities. Enbridge will continue to work with other permitting agencies towards the timely issuance of the remaining permits and construction is expected to take six to nine months once all permits have been received.
This project is immediately poised to provide significant economic benefits for counties, small businesses, and Native American communities, the company asserts. L3RP is a shovel-ready, $2.9 billion private investment that will bring 4,200 union construction jobs, millions of dollars in local spending and tax revenues at a time when Northern Minnesota needs it most.
Tags: Enbridge, Line 3 Replacement Project (L3RP), Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
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