A Majority of Minnesotans Support Line 3’s Approval and Believe it has Jumpstarted the Economy

AS WORK ON LINE 3 PREPARES TO RESTART IN JUNE, A STRONG MAJORITY ALSO BELIEVE ENBRIDGE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPLETE THE MORE THAN $4 BILLON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

(THIEF RIVER FALLS, MINN) Five months after the start of construction on the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project, a majority of Minnesotans not only support the decision to allow it to move forward, a strong majority also believe the project should be allowed to be completed. The findings are from a new American Strategies poll of registered voters in Minnesota that was conducted from April 15 to April 19, 2021.

“From the day work started, I have seen first-hand the positive impact this project has had across our communities,” said Brian Holmer, Mayor of Thief River Falls. “This poll confirms what many of us know and shows not only did regulators do the right thing in approving Line 3, but their decision has strong support across our region. Our economy was struggling before COVID, it’s clear that the majority of people also understand that Line 3 has helped bring our communities and economies back to life. We are excited to see work restart and this poll reaffirms the support Line 3 has.”

Construction on the Line 3 Replacement Project started in December of 2020 and is currently paused for two months because of seasonal road restrictions related to the transition from winter to spring. Work is expected to begin again in June, and crews have already completed more than half of the project in just four months. During the first phase of work, the project has supported a workforce that at times exceeded 5,000 people across the route’s 14 counties.

Voters clearly believe that Line 3 construction has had a positive impact on the Northern Minnesota economy. Strong majorities also say the pipeline has been important to the creation of jobs, bringing the the region’s economy back to life and supporting small businesses across the region.

Among the key findings from the poll:

74 percent agree that Enbridge should have been given permission to build the pipeline
80 percent say the company should be allowed to complete construction
91 percent say the project has been important to hotels, restaurants, and small businesses in the area
83 percent say the project has been important to the creation of jobs
83 percent say the project has been important to jumpstarting the region’s economy

“These results show the strong level of awareness Line 3 has across our state,” Holmer said. “While this has always been about replacing and upgrading a key part of our energy infrastructure, Line 3 has also represented a significant way to support jobs and lift up communities and families. The poll results connect the anecdotal stories we all have that show how important Line 3 is and why it needs to be to be completed.”

The process to replace Line 3 started in 2014 during the Obama-Biden Administration as part of a review of America’s operating energy infrastructure. Federal regulators and Enbridge agreed to a consent decree that ordered the company to replace the pipeline. Enbridge worked with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and its robust review process by submitting an application to seek approval for replacing Line 3 in 2015. After more than six years of review by state and federal agencies, Line 3 is now the most reviewed pipeline project in Minnesota history.

About the poll

American Strategies conducted a poll of registered voters in Minnesota from April 15 to April 19, 2021. The poll included a representative sample of 800 registered voters. Six hundred interviews were conducted over the phone by live callers, and 200 were conducted online. The margin of error associated with the poll results is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

About Minnesotans for Line 3

Minnesotans for Line 3 is an active, grassroots organization of people in all 87 counties across Minnesota who understand how important it is to have reliable energy to power our economy and help maintain everyone’s quality of life. We also know the best way to protect our environment and natural resources is to replace aging infrastructure with a state-of-the-art pipeline that uses the newest technology available. To learn more, visit minnesotansforline3.com.

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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