Northern MN Mayor Cheers the Start of Line 3 Construction as More People Continue to File Requests for Economic Help

INITIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK BEGINS AS AVERAGE % OF PEOPLE IN 14 “LINE 3 COUNTIES” WHO HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS IS ABOVE 32%

(KEEWATIN, MINN) As construction work on the Line 3 Replacement Project has now started, Keewatin Mayor Bill King today cheered the milestone as updated data shows that even more Minnesotans have filed for economic help. On November 30^th the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued a stormwater construction permit, the final approval needed to allow Line 3 to move forward. On December 1^st crews in different locations along the route area began initial work on what will be the largest privately financed construction project in Minnesota’s history. All of this comes as information from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows that the average percentage of workers in the 14 “Line 3 Counties” who have filed unemployment insurance applications since March of 2020 is now above 32 percent.

“This week has been historically important for Northern Minnesota because Line 3 is finally moving forward after so many years of review and needless delays,” said Keewatin Mayor Bill King. “This great news comes as the latest DEED information shows how much we need to find ways to get people back to work through projects like Line 3. In addition to the hope that new jobs will bring, seeing the final permits issued restores some confidence that large-scale projects can actually get through Minnesota’s regulatory system. As hard as this year has been, it is beyond uplifting to know that we will finally see people getting back to work.”

Hundreds of people are now working on the initial phase of construction that includes preparing sites for more intensive work. When fully operational, the project will put more than 4,000 union members to work to replace the 340-mile Minnesota section. Enbridge will invest approximately $2.6 billion to fund work across 14 counties and it 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 reviewed by state and federal agencies and regulators for almost six years. The process started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration. Enbridge submitted their application for the replacement of Line 3 to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2015 as part of the company’s integrity and maintenance driven program.

In November, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued its 401-water certification, a key permit for the project. This was followed by the Army Corp of Engineers issuing its 404-certification, the PUC issuing an order to construct the project, and the MPCA stormwater construction permit.

“After so many years of meetings and delays that had many of us wondering if this would ever happen, it has been great to see agencies get their work done and permits be issued,” King said. “Minnesota has strong rules to regulate mining and projects like Line 3 for good reasons. Yet in Minnesota, it seems our recent history for these projects has been filled more with delays than permits that result in work. The fact Line 3 is now fully permitted and under construction is important for the people who need jobs and for our region where mining, pipelines and large-scale projects will continue to be a key part of our economy. This has truly been a great and important week.”

Latest average unemployment insurance information for Line 3 Counties as of November 30^th

County		Percentage
Kittson		14.1%
Beltrami		30.2%
Marshall		22.7%
Pennington		30.9%
Polk		26.6%
Red Lake		27.8%
Clearwater		37.8%
Hubbard		34.2%
Cass		42.3%
Crow Wing		37.4%
Aitkin		37.5%
Carlton		36.3%
St. Louis		37%
Wadena		33.3%

AVERAGE		32.01%

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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