Fact Check Friday #12: The Facts from PUC Hearings

On Monday and Tuesday of this past week, participating parties presented their oral arguments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regarding Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need and Route Permit. After two days of testimony, it was abundantly clear from the discussion that we need Line 3 to be replaced!

Throughout the two days and close to 20 hours of oral arguments, some facts were made clear while some flawed testimony was corrected.

The Facts:

Enbridge’s expert testimony provided a number of different forecast alternatives, including a forecast that anticipated an increase in utilization of electric vehicles. Under all scenarios the capacity from a replaced Line 3 is needed.
There is a need to replace Line 3 for various reasons, including:
1. Improved safety
2. Replacing outdated infrastructure
3. Economic and job growth
4. Eco-societal benefits

The Flaws:

The Minnesota Department of Commerce continued to support their flawed report on which looked at a very narrow scope of demand and failed to consider the energy demands of the broader region. In fact, Enbridge has clearly demonstrated the need for the Line 3 Replacement Project to ensure future adequacy, reliability and efficiency of energy supply in Minnesota and neighboring states according to Minnesota statute.
There were allegations from intervenors in opposition to the project that Enbridge has not provided evidence supporting the need of a replacement pipeline based on refined product demand. The demand for a new Line 3 is based on the demand of Enbridge’s system to transport crude oil from customers to refineries. The argument that a refined product demand outlook is required under state status is without merit as:
1. Enbridge transports crude oil, not refined product
2. Minnesota is not an independent energy island. Because of this interconnectedness, Minnesotan and Midwestern refineries can maintain their crude oil demand with or without an increase in refined product demand only in Minnesota

The biggest take away from these hearings is that it is clearer than ever that we need this replacement project to be approved. Not replacing or completely decommissioning (which opposing parties at the hearing suggested) is not an option. During the hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday of this upcoming week we need to continue to visibly show our support and let the Commissioners know how important this project is!

Additional Information from This Past Week

We also learned valuable information this week outside of the hearings. This information being that Winona LaDuke ADMITTED that she has established “camps” for protestors from across Minnesota and the country who are planning to come here to attempt to stop future construction work.

We have seen the unfortunate consequences and impact in the recent past from similar events in North Dakota. Landowners, first responders, and the communities along the route should not be threatened by this and the complete disregard and disrespect for what Minnesota stands for.

We are calling on Winona LaDuke and other opposing parties to stop misleading policy makers about the proposed Line 3 Replacement project and take into consideration who is actually negatively affected by these protests.

We can’t afford to wait any longer for Line 3

“It’s long overdue for those making decisions in this state to pause and look at the facts. We cannot afford another appeal. Too much time and taxpayer dollars have been used to repeatedly determine that Line 3 is necessary.

If we do not approve Line 3 and get started soon, the people of Minnesota will deserve an explanation about why the most studied pipeline project in our state’s history – that literally checks every box – was stalled at a time when our economy needs it so much.”

Rich Siegert, Rochester Post Bulletin

Minnesota needs Line 3 project

“Let’s get one thing clear: Minnesota needs Line 3.

Replacing Line 3 will bring thousands of jobs to our state at a time when we desperately need it. While our legislature stalls on a bonding bill and other forms of relief, how about Governor Walz and his administration making an easy decision to stop delaying a project that will bring thousands of jobs to northern Minnesota?”

Craig Gaasvig, Grand Forks Herald

Nearly six years to replace Line 3 is too long

“My family has farmed in Clearwater County for 85 years. As farmers, we take pride in our land and work hard to take care of the soil and water around us. We also take very seriously planning our farming operations, including rotating our crops and maintaining our equipment.

For 48 years, we’ve hosted six pipelines on our property and have always had a good relationship with the company. In 2014, we received a letter from Enbridge about the company’s intention to replace its Line 3 pipeline. Since that initial letter, we’ve worked with Enbridge on the easement for the replacement pipe and have considered our farming plans to accommodate construction.”

Brian Emmel, Bemidji Pioneer

Support Minnesotans by supporting Line 3

“In trying times like these, you would think local governments would try to work together to get things done. The fact of the matter is, they can’t — or they won’t. The gridlock in our state house is at an all-time high, and neither side seems willing to concede anything to the other. You would think they would care more about the people than these political chess matches; but for the most part, that’s not the case. Minnesota needs jobs more than ever — as well as the hope that things can get better. As we struggle with COVID19, the changes it has forced upon us have left too many of our businesses to drop like flies, with more people applying for unemployment every day.”

Dave Langfeld, Duluth News Tribune

Letters to the Editor Supporting Line 3:

We can’t afford to wait any longer for Line 3

Minnesota needs Line 3 project

Nearly six years to replace Line 3 is too long

Support Minnesotans by supporting Line 3

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