Number of People Needing Work Goes Up Again as Needless Contest Case Hearing for MPCA Permits Fizzles Out After Only One Day of Testimony

AVERAGE OF WORKERS IN 12 of 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS GOES UP AGAIN

(BEMIDJI, MINN) This week a contested case hearing for MPCA-led permits for the Line 3 Replacement project that was scheduled to take an entire week was completed in less than one day as the average percentage of workers who have filed unemployment insurance claims went up again in 12 of the 14 “Line 3 Counties.” Instead of following the schedule to make decisions about the 401 water quality certification, in June the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency decided to hold a contested case hearing that delays the permit decision until November, creating another delay for the project. The average percentage of workers who have filed unemployment insurance claims for the 14 “Line 3 Counties” remains close to 25 percent.

When the MPCA announced the contested-case, the agency said the hearing would consider a number of additional questions raised by the Friends of the Headwaters, Sierra Club, Honor the Earth, White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. Only 7 witnesses testified in the hearing that took only a few hours instead of the planned full week of time.

“The MPCA’s decision to delay these permits for three months made no sense and what happened this week unfortunately proved it,” said Brian Hartje, Vice President, Bemidji Welders Supply Inc. with headquarters in Bemidji, MN. “While we wait even longer to get Line 3 built, the number of people needing work keeps going up. Needless delays for Line 3 are hurting people and our communities and it’s time for this to stop. It’s time for Governor Walz to stop listening to activists and follow the data and science. We need him to make sure Line 3 construction starts this year before things get even worse.”

The decision to hold the contested case process delayed a final decision on the 401 permits until November 14^th. Work to complete these permits continues, despite Governor Walz’s decision to have the Department of Commerce legally challenge the PUC’s decision to again issue the ceritificate of need. If approved, the permit will then be set to the Army Corp of Engineers for final approval. If approved, construction would start this year.

The Line 3 project has been under review by agencies and regulators for almost six years. 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 the Staet of 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. The new Line 3, when fully operational, will also create additional tax revenue for cities, counties, and school districts across Northern Minnesota.

“Not only do people across our region need work, local government and school districts also need to find new tax revenue to fund the services we depend on instead of having to raise our taxes,” Hartje said. “Line 3 is the only way to do all this that’s even better because it is privately funded. After five years of review and a year of seeing people lose jobs and communities lose businesses it’s time to get this done. Governor Walz and his agencies need to get their work done so construction work starts this year.”

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/

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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