MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge rejected a new attempt to shut down construction of Enbridge Energy’s replacement for its Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said the balance between possible harm from the pipeline and the public’s interest was a “close call.” The judge decided, however, that the greater risk would be not replacing Enbridge’s existing line, which was laid un the 1960s. Also, she said, delaying construction would damage Enbridge financially and cost construction jobs. The Red Lake and White Earth tribes and the environmental groups Honor the Earth and the Sierra Club had argued in their lawsuit that the Army Corps failed to properly address the risk of oil spills and other environmental issues in issuing a permit for the project. The suit argued that Line 3 aggravates climate change and endangers Native American harvesting of wild rice.
Earlier: New setback for Line 3 opponents
Line 3 route. More than 1,000 miles, of which 330 cross northern Minnesota. Images: Honor the Earth
New route, new volume. Environmentalists say Enbridge misrepresents the Line 3 project as a replacement. Much the route is new. Also the pipe is bigger around and pressure much higher to double capacity.