Fact Check Friday #9: Line 3 Replacement project's economic impact in Minnesota - Minnesotans for Line 3 - Support Replacement of the Line 3 Pipeline

Every year one lucky city gets to experience the extravagance that comes along with hosting the Super Bowl, in 2018 that was Minneapolis. Though the game is the main attraction for sports fans, the unprecedented experience that the Super Bowl planning team has created draws people from around the country and world to that lucky city. Concerts, parties, celebrity meet and greets, and ice sculptures (at least in Minneapolis’s case) are just the beginning of a long list of events that bring together millions of people for other reasons besides football.

Though these awesome events were what get the public’s attention, many people were also focused on the positive economic impact that an event of this magnitude had on Minnesota. As Governor Dayton was very happy to announce earlier this week, Super Bowl LII added $370 million in net spending for Minnesota.

While initially an exciting figure, much of that $370 million came straight the tax payers.

What is often overlooked; and does not get a press conference from Governor Dayton, is the billions of dollars privately invested around the state from construction projects. Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement project being one of the largest in the State’s history.

Enbridge expects to privately invest up to $2.1 billion into Minnesota’s economy. That is 5.6 times more than the Super Bowl brought in. This is an astounding number that will not get a press conference from Governor Dayton because it is not yet even supported by the Governor.

This is not money that would come out of you and your neighbor’s pockets through spending, but money that a company is happily investing by hiring local workers, paying taxes, and purchasing products from local companies.

Often times the economic impact that the Line 3 Replacement project has to the state is overlooked. This is additional money that the state would be able to invest back into local schools, natural resources, job training, and many other areas that would benefit the people across Minnesota.

Though the economic impact from the Super Bowl is exciting, it is important to remember that large events such as that are not the only way that our state can add additional funds to their budget. While much less publicized, projects such as the Line 3 Replacement project invests $2.1 billion into our communities through private investment. This investment is what our elected officials should be excited to talk about.

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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Fact Check Friday #9: Line 3 Replacement project’s economic impact in Minnesota

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