Line 3 Counties Average Unemployment Rate Now Above 22 Percent

AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” HAS INCREASED EVERY WEEK FOR THE PAST MONTH AS MORE PEOPLE NEED JOBS AND HOPE

July 2, 2020

(BEMIDJI, MINN) More people across Northern Minnesota are now looking for work as unemployment rates for the 14 “Line 3 Counties” continues to increase and the scale of the economic challenge the region is facing becomes more severe. The latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows the average unemployment rate is now 22.24 percent. This is the 4^th week in a row the rate has increased since Minnesotans for Line has been tracking the data and the latest information continues to show the increased need to find ways to get people back to work.

The continued increase in the number of people looking for work comes as the Minnesota Governor Tim Walz via the Department of Commerce and other groups opposed to the project are considering filing lawsuits to challenge the certificate of need and route permit. Governor Walz and the other groups in the past had filed litigation that has further delayed the project. Should these groups again legally challenge the PUC, this action would likely create delays that would make it almost impossible for construction to start in 2020.

“Governor Walz needs to look really close at these numbers and how strong the PUC was in reaffirming their support of this project before he decides what happens next,” said Jed Holewa, a member of Minnesotans for Line 3 and someone who has worked in the mining industry. “The only thing that will reduce these numbers in any significant way is making sure construction can start this year on Line 3. The Governor can make this happen by not appealing the PUC decision and directing agencies to get the permits done. It’s up to him and we again call on him to do the right thing for the growing number of families who need work, hope, and that things will get better.”

Line 3 would immediately create more than 4,000 good paying, union jobs. The project will also invest approximately $2.6 billion into local economies and Enbridge has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing for construction to start. All of this at a time when Minnesota has never needed the jobs and investment more. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision to hold a contested case hearing on key permits for the project means the earliest construction could start would be mid-November of this year.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted 4-1 to deny requests from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and other project opponents to reconsider its approval of both the certificate of need and the route permit. The four commissioners who voted to deny the petitions to reconsider the certificate of need and route permit were very clear as to the reason for their decision:

Commissioner Valerie Means:

“The project is the safest, most rational option for protection the environment and Minnesota communities.”

Commissioner John Tuma:

“I’m confident in the long run this permit will be viewed as the gold standard for petroleum infrastructure replacement.”

Commissioner Joe Sullivan:

“I also believe that the Commission did not err in its legal determination as demand for the pipeline has been shown.”

Commissioner Katie Sieben:

“A new pipeline with thicker and safer materials, constructed with up to date safety standards by skilled laborers operating under prevailing wage laws is a better outcome than leaving an old pipeline that again was ordered by federal consent decree to seek replacement.”
“If anyone suggests that this Commission did not carefully consider issues raised by Tribal governments and their representatives, they are not fully informed.”

Latest unemployment rates for Line 3 Counties as of June 25^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		10.3%
Beltrami		21.7%
Marshall		14.5%
Pennington		19.8%
Polk		18.5%
Red Lake		17.6%
Clearwater		25.8%
Hubbard		24.1%
Cass		30.5%
Crow Wing		27.2%
Aitkin		24.5%
Carlton		26.2%
St. Louis		27.3%
Wadena		23.4%


AVERAGE		22.24%

Percentage of people filing for unemployment insurance as a share of the 2019 available labor force

Data provided by Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/unemployment-insurance-statistics/

Contact: Susan Goudge
Susan@Minnesotansforline3.com | 218-556-3617

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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