ST. PAUL, Minn. – The clock is ticking for opponents of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline through the Minnesota Northwoods. A state appeals court decision Monday cleared Enbridge to resume construction of the final link of the 1,100-mile line, Canadian crude oil could be in October. Can the appellate court decision be appealed to the state Supreme Court? Yes, but appeals typically take a year – nine months at best. “There’s a good chance we’ll appeal because we should, but I don’t think a remedy’s going to come out of it that’s going to be meaningful for us,” said Frank Bibeau, an attorney for the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. Other options:
> Intensify an appeal to President Biden, who has used his executive
authority to shut down other contested pipeline projects.
> Focus on a current appeal in federal court against a wetlands permit approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
> Pin further arguments against the pipeline on Judge Peter Reyes’ lone dissent Monday at the Minnesota Court of Appels.
Earlier: Enbridge claims trans-Minnesota Line 3 victory
Earlier: Federal judge OKs Line 3 replacement