Local Elected Leader Calls On Gov. Walz to Not Delay Line 3 As the Number of People Needing Work Across Northern Minnesota Goes Up Again

AVERAGE OF WORKERS IN 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS NOW ABOVE 25%

(BEMIDJI, MINN) A Minnesota mayor today renewed his plea that Governor Walz makes sure construction on the Line 3 project starts this year as the number of people needing work in Northern Minnesota has increased for the 14^th consecutive week. 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 25.5%.

Hill City Mayor Dan Kingsley was one of 42 other mayors in June who asked Governor Walz to not appeal the Public Utilities Commission’s certificate of need. Last month Governor Walz had the Minnesota Department of Commerce announce plans to legally challenge the PUC’s decision. Kingsley’s decision to renew his appeal to the Walz Administration comes after seeing more people needing jobs and economic help in his community and in other cities.

“People in my community this year have gone through enough stress and uncertainty because of COVID-19 and the economic havoc it has created,” said Hill City Mayor Dan Kingsley. “We need things to change this year. There is one project and one person who can make sure this happens. Line 3 will create the kind of jobs, hope, and opportunity people across Minnesota need at such a critically important time. The project has been studied for almost six years and the only thing we are missing now is leadership from Governor Walz to make sure construction work starts this year.”

The process to replace Line 3 started during the Obama-Biden Administration. In April of 2015, 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 a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency, both led by Obama-Biden appointees. As part of the agreement, the U.S. Government required Enbridge to replace its 1960s era Line 3 pipeline. On June 28, 2018, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the Certificate of Need and approved the Route Permit.

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 State of Minnesota. To prepare for construction, Enbridge has already spent more than $100 million in local communities 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.

Instead of following the project permit schedule to make important 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 decision to hold the contested case process delays a final decision on the 401 permits until November 14^th. Work 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.

“Any project that can create jobs and new investment in our community is important but Line 3 takes this to a very high level,” Kingsley said. “Line 3 is so important because of its immediate and long-term impact. Knowing that so many people will have the chance to start work this year will be an economic lifeline for families. After construction is done, Line 3 will create new tax revenue for local government to help us all dig out our budget holes. Line 3 is the best and only way for us to see and know things can positively change for Hill City and other communities.”

Latest average unemployment insurance information for Line 3 Counties as of September 7^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		11.6%
Beltrami		24.7%
Marshall		16.7%
Pennington		24.3%
Polk		21.5%
Red Lake		21.8%
Clearwater		29.6%
Hubbard		27.2%
Cass		34.1%
Crow Wing		29.7%
Aitkin		28.2%
Carlton		30.2%
St. Louis		30.8%
Wadena		26.7%


AVERAGE		25.51%

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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