Northern MN Mayor Thanks Line 3 Supporters As Key Project Permits Are Finally Issued

MPCA AND DNR PERMITS COME AS AVERAGE % OF PEOPLE IN 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS REMAINS AT ALMOST 28%

(VIRGINIA, MINN) Virginia Mayor Larry Cuffe today thanked supporters of the Line 3 Replacement Project for their years-long advocacy as state agencies have now released key permits that will move it closer to construction. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Thursday issued its remaining permits and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification. While there are still some remaining permits for the project, the DNR and MPCA permits were very significant.

The action by the state agencies comes as the latest information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) continues to show the average percentage of workers in the 14 “Line 3 Counties” who have filed unemployment insurance applications since March of 2020 remains at 28%. Line 3 has now been replaced in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Canada. When approved, the privately funded project will immediately put more than 4,000 union members to work in Minnesota as soon as this year.

“After having spent so many years reviewing data, the route, and studying other information, it now feels like we are finally ready to see this happen,” said Virginia Mayor Larry Cuffe. “The DNR has now issued all of their permits and the MPCA has issued the 401 certification. After years of review and strong support from people across our state, this is such great news. After such a trying year we are one step closer to putting people back to work and bringing customers to our businesses and communities.”

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. Now that the MPCA issued its 401 decision, the water-related permits now wait for the Army Corps of Engineers for final approval. If the Army Corps approves the permit and other final agency approvals happen, construction will start as soon as possible.

“This has been a year of challenges from COVID as we have watched how it has hurt families, businesses and communities like Virginia,” Cuffe said. “Not only do we need the positive economic impact from thousands of people working across our region, we also need the hope for the future a big project like this brings. For years we have watched as this project has followed the process, proven its need and value, and waited for key decisions to be made. As hard as it has been to see how long this has taken, today there is new momentum that I hope translates in the activities we know will be great for my community and so many others in Minnesota.”

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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