As Governor Walz and Legislators Continue to Try to Pass a Taxpayer-funded Bonding Bill the Need for Jobs In Line 3 Counties Goes Up Again

AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF WORKERS IN 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS IS ALMOST 26%

(BRAINERD, MINN) While Governor Walz and legislative leaders continue to try to work out final details for a taxpayer-funded legislative bonding bill, the number of people needing economic help across Northern Minnesota continues to increase. 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 in the 14 “Line 3 Counties” is now almost 26%. While projects included in state capital investment legislation would need taxpayers to pay for the costs, the Line 3 Replacement Project would immediately invest more than $2 billion of private sector dollars into Minnesota.

“It’s incredibly hard to understand why our elected leaders can’t resolve these issues and at the same time it’s even harder to understand why a project like Line 3 that will create jobs this year without taxpayer dollars continues to be delayed,” said Clearbrook, MN Mayor Dylan Goudge “Not only is Line 3 bigger than any bonding bill that has been proposed, it’s also the only chance to get people back to work this year. Even if a bonding bill gets approved, it will be incredibly hard for any of the projects to get started this year. People in Clearbrook and across Northern Minnesota cannot wait any longer. We need things to change now and Line 3 is the best way for that to happen.”

Governor Walz and legislative leaders have repeatedly failed to reach an agreement on a package of projects that would be funded by general obligation bonds, trunk highway bonds and appropriation bonds. All of these funding sources are backed by taxpayer dollars. Potential projects being considered for funding have included upgrading or preserving buildings on college campuses, dams and flood mitigation work, key road and bridge projects, as well money for water quality projects.

The Line 3 Replacement project would have Enbridge invest approximately $2.6 billion to fund work across 14 counties and immediately create more than 4,000 good paying union job. Enbridge has already spent more than $100 million with tribal communities to help engage their members to connect them with construction jobs.

The Line 3 project has been under review by agencies and regulators for almost six years. It officially started in 2015 during the Obama-Biden Administration when Enbridge submitted their application for replacement of Line 3 to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission as part of its integrity and maintenance driven program. In 2016, Enbridge entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency, both led by Obama-Biden appointees. As part of this agreement, the U.S. Government required Enbridge to replace the Line 3 pipeline. On June 28, 2018, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the Certificate of Need and approved the Route Permit.

In June of this year, instead of issuing key permits to allow Line 3 construction to start, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency decided to hold a contested case hearing that has delayed the permiting decision until November. The agency decided to use the hearing process to 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. Only 7 witnesses testified in the hearing that took only a few hours instead of the planned full week of time that had been reserved.

The decision to hold the contested case process delays a final decision on the 401 permits potentially until November 14^th. Work by the agencies to complete these permits continues, despite Governor Walz’s recent decision to have the Department of Commerce legally challenge the PUC’s decision to again issue the Certificate of Need. If approved by the MPCA, the water-related permits will then be sent to the Army Corps of Engineers for final approval. If the Army Corps approves the permit, construction will start this year.

“I respect there are a number of issues involved with legislators and Governor Walz trying to agree on a bonding bill that will create jobs in the future,” Goudge said. “At the same time, it’s hard to look at these numbers and all the people who need help and a job. We clearly need our Governor to step forward to make sure Line 3 construction happens. After five years of review the only question about this project that remains to be answered is when construction can start. The answer to this question needs to be this year.”

Latest average unemployment insurance information for Line 3 Counties as of September 25^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		11.7%
Beltrami		25.1%
Marshall		17%
Pennington		24.9%
Polk		21.8%
Red Lake		22.5%
Clearwater		30%
Hubbard		27.6%
Cass		34.6%
Crow Wing		30.1%
Aitkin		28.8%
Carlton		30.7%
St. Louis		31.2%
Wadena		27.1%


AVERAGE		25.94%

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

Stay Informed:
Be the first to know about Line 3 news as it happens by joining the Minnesotans for Line 3 email list.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!