REP. MATT GROSSELL URGES GOVERNOR TO MOVE FORWARD WITH REPLACEMENT PIPELINE
CLEARBOOK, MN—Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook, joined more than three dozen legislators urging DFL Governor Mark Dayton to instruct the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Public Utilities Commission to move forward with the proposed Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project. The aging pipeline was ordered replaced by the federal government during the Obama administration, and has been subject to unprecedented public review and comment. The letter notes that the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Public Utilities Commission have consistently exceeded statutory and regulatory timeframes which has added unnecessary delays to the critical project.
"Enbridge has provided Greater Minnesota with well-paying jobs as well as an environmentally safe and efficient way to transport oil across the state," said Rep. Grossell. "The completion of the Line 3 Replacement Project will provide good jobs and tax revenue for communities across Minnesota."
Replacement of the Line 3 pipeline will mean more than $3 billion in private investment and create thousands of good-paying jobs along the route. The letter also raised concerns over the risk to the environment if the line is not replaced.
"It is extremely important to complete the replacement pipeline in order to ensure the safe transportation of oil throughout the state," Rep. Grossell concluded.
With the Environmental Impact Statement now complete, the project has now cleared all relevant procedural hurdles including the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). A final decision, to be made by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commissioner, is expected next spring.
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