Environment issue. Enbridge claims flying colors in every test. Also: Hundreds of construction jobs.
Line 3 work to proceed despite threatened protest
EDMONTON, Alberta – The company that owns the Line 3 oil pipeline being rerouted through Ojibwe tribal lands in Minnesota declared it will charge ahead despite a large protest scheduled for Monday. Enbridge Energy said Obijwes have had many avenues to object and did so. Now, Enbridge said, construction will resume immediately. Extracts from the Enbridge statement:
“We recognize people have strong feelings about the energy we all use, and they have the right to express their opinions legally and peacefully. Many of the groups involved in the Treaty People Gathering were parties to the review process … and during the past six years have repeatedly provided input that was heard and acted upon.
“ We hoped all parties would come to accept the outcome of the thorough, science-based review and multiple approvals of the project. Line 3 has passed every test through six years of regulatory and permitting review including 70 public comment meetings, appellate review and reaffirmation of a 13,500-page EIS, four separate reviews by administrative law judges, 320 route modifications in response to stakeholder input, and reviews and approvals from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (The only Tribe with ‘Treatment as a State’ water quality authority along the pipeline route).
“In fact the leadership of the two reservations crossed by current Line 3 have repeatedly expressed their support for Line 3’s permits.
“So far protests have had relatively little impact on construction which is on track across five different construction zones working simultaneously along more than 330 miles replacing Line 3 in northern Minnesota.
“It’s notable that the review that the result of six years of review lead the MN Public Utilities Commission to determine Line 3 replacement will:
> Better protect Minnesota’s waters and environment.
> Not contribute to climate change.
> Reduce impacts to Indigenous people.