Need for Jobs Remains Strong As Gov. Walz Ignores Facts and People He Appointed by Challenging the PUC Approval of Line 3

AVERAGE OF WORKERS IN 10 of 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS GOES UP AGAIN

(BEMIDJI, MINN) As the Minnesota Department of Commerce prepares to file its legal challenge to the Certificate of Need for the Line 3 Replacement Project, the need for jobs across Northern Minnesota remains strong. Governor Walz this week ignored facts, data, and commissioners he had appointed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission when he ordered the Department of Commerce to challenge the Line 3 Certificate of Need.

The latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows the average percentage of workers who have filed unemployment insurance claims has gone up again in 10 of the 14 “Line 3 Counties.” Governor Walz’s decision to have one state agency legally challenge another does not stop the permitting process, but wastes time and money opposing a project that would immediately create thousands of jobs and millions in new tax revenue at such a critically important time for Minnesota.

“Governor Walz repeatedly talks about how he uses facts and data when he makes decisions yet he ignored this unemployment data, the public record, and the fact his own appointees support Line 3,” said Mayor Candace Coulter of Gonvick, MN. “Week after week the numbers go up because more people need jobs and the economic help Line 3 will bring to our communities. We needed Governor Walz to say yes to Line 3 and no to any more delays but instead he went against pledges he made to support Line 3 when he was campaigning and needed our votes. Not only has he forgot what he promised, he now is ignoring facts and reality by opposing this project.”

The Line 3 project has been under review by agencies and regulators for almost six years. The decision by Governor Walz to appeal the Certificate of Need does not stop the permitting process. Next week a contested case hearing will be held by an administrative law judge related to key permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Because of the decision by the MPCA to hold a contested case, the earliest the agency could issue the permits would be mid-November – allowing construction to start this year.

“As disappointing as Governor Walz’s decision was, the good news is that it has not stopped the other work being done on the permits,” Mayor Coulter said. “I share the frustrations of many who cannot understand why this project is not already under construction. We have always needed Line 3 to protect the environment and create new tax revenue for counties and cities. We also need Line 3 to create jobs now and hope at some point Governor Walz understands this and makes sure we can get this done.”

To replace the existing Line 3, Enbridge will invest approximately $2.6 billion and the project will immediately create more than 4,000 good paying union jobs. Line 3 would generate an estimated $35 million in new tax revenue for Minnesota in its first year of service using the replaced pipeline. The new Line 3 will also create additional tax revenue for cities, counties, and school districts across Northern Minnesota. To prepare for construction, Enbridge has already spent more than $100 million in local communities and to help train tribal members for construction jobs.

Latest average unemployment insurance information for Line 3 Counties as of August 17^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		11.3%
Beltrami		24%
Marshall		16.2%
Pennington		23.3%
Polk		20.8%
Red Lake		20.6%
Clearwater		28.9%
Hubbard		26.4%
Cass		33.2%
Crow Wing		29.1%
Aitkin		27.3%
Carlton		29.3%
St. Louis		30%
Wadena		26%

AVERAGE

24.74%

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/

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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