As More Line 3 Permits Are Expected to be Issued, Northern MN Mayor Points to Need for Construction to Start as Soon as Possible

REMAINING PERMITS WILL COME AS AVERAGE % OF PEOPLE IN 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS NOW ALMOST 30%

(WILTON, MINN) As some of the remaining permits for the Line 3 Replacement Project are about to be issued, a Northern Minnesota Mayor today called for construction work to start as soon as possible because of another increase in the number of people filing for unemployment help. Wilton Mayor Jeff Snyder applauded actions by agencies to complete work on the majority of permits needed to allow construction to start but said it was more important than ever that people can get to work.

“The momentum toward the completion of the permitting process is great but at the same time the urgency to get people back to work is now more acute than ever,” said Wilton Mayor Jeff Snyder. “Knowing that even more people continue to need help and work makes it even more important that work on Line 3 starts as soon as possible. After so many years of meetings, review, and studying this project, we are finally at the point where work can start. It is my hope that it happens as soon as possible so that we can create economic hope and change these troubling economic trendlines.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the average percentage of workers in the 14 “Line 3 Counties” who have filed unemployment insurance applications since March of 2020 is now almost 30 percent. This increase comes as the Army Corp of Engineers is expected to issue their 404 Water Quality Certification and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is expected to issue a stormwater-related permit. Last week the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued its remaining permits and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued its Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification.

Line 3 has now been replaced in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Canada. When fully approved, the privately funded project will immediately put more than 4,000 union members to work to replace the Minnesota section. To complete the final section of the line, Enbridge will invest approximately $2.6 billion to fund work across 14 counties. The company 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 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. Now that the Army Corp has issued its 404 certification, the project is waiting for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to file an order to construct the line. This would be the final approval to finally allow construction work to start.

“Our communities, our businesses, and our people across Northern Minnesota are truly ready for things to move forward and work to start,” Snyder said. “We have all known it was the right thing to do to replace the existing line when this process started. Now making sure construction starts as soon as possible is the only thing that can positively change our economy and the lives of so many people in a significant way. After so much bad news, it will be a great way to end the year to see people getting to work and to have customers in our local stores, restaurants, and hotels.

Latest average unemployment insurance information for Line 3 Counties as of November 11^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		13%
Beltrami		27.7%
Marshall		20.1%
Pennington		28.2%
Polk		24.5%
Red Lake		26.1%
Clearwater		34.5%
Hubbard		31.2%
Cass		38.8%
Crow Wing		33.5%
Aitkin		33.3%
Carlton		34%
St. Louis		34.1%
Wadena		30.7%

AVERAGE		29.26%

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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