RELEASE: Statement from Leader Daudt on PUC Line 3 decision

ST. PAUL, MN—House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, issued the following statement regarding today's vote by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to deny the Walz administration's petition to reconsider the certificate of need for the Line 3 replacement pipeline. This is the third unanimous vote the PUC has taken to uphold the certificate of need decision. Gov. Walz must now decide whether he will appeal, and continue the state's legal efforts to challenge the Line 3 replacement project.

"I'm grateful that the PUC has voted unanimously once again to allow the Line 3 replacement pipeline to move forward, bringing Minnesota one step closer to thousands of jobs, millions in property tax revenue, and improved environmental protection. Minnesotans are tired of the legal games, and tired of Gov. Walz wasting tax dollars by having one government agency sue another.

At the hearing, PUC Commissioner, Governor Dayton appointee, and former DFL Senator Katie Sieben blasted the move by the Department of Commerce to challenge the certificate of need.

"We agree with Commissioner Sieben that it is nonsensical to ask the PUC to ignore the fact Line 3 is an aging pipeline, ignore the fact that pipelines are safer than trains, and ignore that there are agreements in place with two key tribal communities. It's time for Governor Walz to move on, accept this decision, and allow the Line 3 project to move forward," Daudt concluded.

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