St. Paul, MINN—Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) and Rep. Deb Kiel (R-Crookston) co-signed a letter to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) yesterday, urging support of the Sandpiper Pipeline Project as the commission weighs a key decision impacting the proposal's fate.
The letter, which was signed by five state representatives from Greater Minnesota, was sent as the PUC prepares to announce whether it will grant a certificate of need, something state law requires in order for the pipeline project to proceed. Representatives Fabian, Kiel and the other three letter-writers highlight safety as the key reason they support construction of the Sandpiper Pipeline.
The letter sent to the PUC reads, in part:
"For the past several years, the oil boom in North Dakota has resulted in significant increases in rail traffic, and subsequently concerns about rail safety. The Sandpiper Pipeline will help alleviate rail traffic, providing the safest possible transport of light crude oil from North Dakota. The pipeline would transport about 1,700 rail cars worth of oil each day, freeing up crucial rail capacity for crops and other products to travel more freely and quickly on Minnesota rail lines."
Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman recently reviewed the Sandpiper proposal. He recommends the PUC provide a certificate of need so pipeline construction may commence from Tioga, North Dakota to Superior, Wisconsin.
"Sandpiper isn't just about increasing the safety of oil transportation in our region, but also about bringing new jobs and increased economic prosperity to Northwest Minnesota," said Rep. Kiel. "This project would create 1,500 jobs in northern Minnesota and generate $25 million in annual property taxes for our communities once the pipeline is fully operational. This is a win-win for our district and a worthwhile investment."
"The merits of the Sandpiper Pipeline project have been carefully reviewed by a judge after months of public input, and the Public Utilities Commission needs to respect that meticulously researched and well-reasoned conclusion and greenlight this project," said Rep. Fabian. "This pipeline in Northern Minnesota will reduce traffic on our roads and rails, increase safety for folks in our communities and bring more jobs to our part of the state. I am hopeful the PUC will certify this worthy project so we can begin building this pipeline."
The other House members who signed the letter include Reps. Dale Lueck (R-Aitkin), Steve Green (R-Fosston), and Dave Hancock (R-Bemidji).
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State Rep. Deb Kiel serves District 1B and State Rep. Dan Fabian serves District 1A