Another Northern MN Economic Development Leader Calls on Gov. Walz to Make Sure Line 3 Permits are Approved Ahead of a Key Deadline

REQUEST COMES AS THE AVERAGE % OF PEOPLE IN THE 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS IS NOW ALMOST 28%

(MOUNTAIN IRON, MINN) As a deadline for a key Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project permit gets closer, another Northern Minnesota economic development leader today called on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to make sure all remaining permits for the project are approved. Steve Giorgi, Executive Director of Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS), urged the Walz Administration to approve permits to make sure construction on Line 3 starts this year. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has until November 16^th to decide if it will issue a 401-certification permit that is needed to make sure the project moves forward. The privately funded Line 3 project will immediately put more than 4,000 people to work as soon as this year.

Giorgi’s call to have the administration approve permits comes as the latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows the average percentage of workers in the 14 “Line 3 Counties” who have filed unemployment insurance applications since March of 2020 is now almost 28%.

“More than ever, people across Northern Minnesota need the opportunity to get back to work and that is why we need Governor Walz to make sure permits for Line 3 get approved,” said Steve Giorgi, Executive Director of Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS). “The DNR has already started issuing permits and the contested case process found no reason for the MPCA to not be able to issue the key remaining permit. Every question about the project has now been answered. We now need Governor Walz to make sure all the permits are approved to make sure work starts this year.”

To replace the aging line, Enbridge will invest approximately $2.6 billion to fund work across 14 counties. Enbridge has already spent more than $100 million with tribal communities to help engage their members to connect them with construction jobs. When fully completed and operational, the replaced Line 3 will also create additional tax revenue for counties and school districts across Northern Minnesota.

The Line 3 project has been under review by state and federal agencies and regulators for almost six years, having started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration. Enbridge submitted their application for replacement of Line 3 to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in 2015 as part of the company’s integrity and maintenance driven program.

On June 28, 2018, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the Certificate of Need and approved the Route Permit. In October, the DNR issued the first two of its ten permits for the project and are expected to issue the remaining permits in the next few weeks. The DNR permits were issued after the agency determined the applications by Enbridge, as conditioned, met the requirements of state statutes and rules.

In June of this year the Walz Administration directed the MPCA to hold a contested case hearing to review the draft 401 permit that delayed the final agency decision until November 14^th. After the contest case hearing and review, the administrative law judge released its report that found the project record adequately supports the MPCA’s decision to issue the permit. If approved by the MPCA next month, 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 as soon as possible.

“We represent communities and school districts who have watched too many people and businesses struggle this year as COVID continues to hurt our economy,” Giorgi said. “In addition to replacing something old with something new, better, and stronger, Line 3 will immediately create jobs across Northern Minnesota. The secondary impact means people in stores, restaurants, and hotels. When it’s in operation, the replaced Line 3 means more tax revenue for communities and school district. Line 3 is that important to us and it’s why we need things to move forward.”

Latest average unemployment insurance information for Line 3 Counties as of October 28^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		12.5%
Beltrami		26.7%
Marshall		18.8%
Pennington		27.3%
Polk		23.5%
Red Lake		25%
Clearwater		32.4%
Hubbard		29.7%
Cass		37%
Crow Wing		32.2%
Aitkin		31.7%
Carlton		32.6%
St. Louis		33%
Wadena		29.5%

AVERAGE		27.99%

Percentage and number 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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