WHAT IS THE PREFERRED ROUTE?
Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project is a critical infrastructure project, that will modernize a 60-year-old pipeline with the most advanced pipeline technology available. The $2.1 billion private investment along the preferred route will create the least disruption to gasoline prices, affect the least amount of drinking water all while honoring tribal sovereignty.
- The preferred route is efficient
- The preferred route is respectful
- The preferred route is smart
- The preferred route is a job creator
- The preferred route is ready to go
- The preferred route is economical
HOW IS IT BETTER?
BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES
The existing route would impact more communities and 75% more acres of populated land (20,807 acres) than the preferred route (4,814 acres).* The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Report recognizes the economic importance of a modernized Line 3 that will have significant benefits to businesses and communities across Minnesota.
RESPECT FOR TRIBAL NATIONS
The preferred route acknowledges the legitimate concerns of Tribal Nations and was created by using significant input from stakeholders across Minnesota.**
BETTER FOR WATER QUALITY AND MINNESOTA LAKES
The existing route would also impact approximately 11 acres of Minnesota Lakes of Biological Significance, while the preferred route would not impact any.”*
BETTER BECAUSE IT’S READY FOR CONSTRUCTION
The preferred route has been extensively studied and reviewed. The Final Environmental Impact Statement has deemed adequate by the PUC in March and would allow the much-needed construction work to start much quicker.
BETTER BECAUSE IT’S READY FOR CONSTRUCTION
The preferred route has been extensively studied and reviewed. The Final Environmental Impact Statement has deemed adequate by the PUC in March and would allow the much-needed construction work to start much quicker.
BETTER BECAUSE IT’S A SAFER AND FASTER WAY
The ALJ’s construction area would expand from a width of approximately 120 feet for normal construction to approximately 205 feet for removal and replacement.”* The existing route would also cause extended oil supply disruptions leading to higher gasoline prices impacting Minnesota and the surrounding region. It will be a faster way to replace the aging pipeline while continuing to protect Minnesota’s economy.
BETTER BECAUSE IT’S READY FOR CONSTRUCTION
The preferred route has been extensively studied and reviewed. The Final Environmental Impact Statement has deemed adequate by the PUC in March and would allow the much-needed construction work to start much quicker.
BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT & THE ECONOMY
The FEIS indicates that Enbridge’s preferred route would impact far fewer acres of forested wetlands, scrub-shrub wetlands and emergent wetlands than the route recommended by the ALJ.* More than 80% of the preferred route follows existing energy infrastructure corridors and Enbridge has also already secured easements from landowners for 95% of the right-of-way for the preferred route that are needed before construction can happen. It would not force the existing Line 3 to shut down at a time when oil and gas prices continue to rise.
Support Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project:
Doing the right thing – the right way.