This Monday, November 19, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is meeting to cast what could be its final vote on Enbridge Line 3, opening the next phase of resistance, including legal challenges. Our presence and show of resistance remains vitally important. Please show up if you can.
There are a number of related Line 3 educational and fundraising events in the coming month, listed below. Here are the details on the PUC meeting.
Where: Minnesota Senate Building, 95 University Ave W in St. Paul (NOTE: Don’t go to the PUC offices where meetings are usually held.)
When: Arrive by 8:30 a.m. if possible, the seats could fill up. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. This meeting could be extended to Tuesday and/or Wednesday depending on deliberations.
Agenda: Voting on: 1) Whether to reconsider approval of Enbridge Line 3’s Certificate of Need; 2) Whether or not Enbridge’s insurance policies are protected as “trade secrets,” keeping them from public view; and, 3) Whether or not to admit into the legal record items submitted by Line 3 opponents that missed the filing deadline due to problems with the state’s electronic filing system.
RSVP: MN 350 set up this online RSVP and on the Facebook event
PUC Staff Sides With Enbridge — Again
Lime 3 opponents are asking the PUC to reconsider approving Line 3 on many grounds, including:
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Enbridge failed to prove that the pipeline was needed.
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The PUC unfairly shifted the burden of proof onto opposing parties, requiring them to show the pipeline wasn’t needed.
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The PUC justified approving Line 3 because it believed the old Line 3 was old, failing and dangerous. The federalgovernment has jurisdiction over the old Line 3, not the PUC. The condition of the old Line 3 should not have factored into the PUC’s decision on approving a new Line 3.
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The PUC failed to have a Traditional Cultural Properties Survey prepared for all routes being considered prior to a determination on need.
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Line 3’s significant climate impacts.
The PUC staff briefing paper rejects all arguments, and urges the PUC to grant final approval:
Staff believes the Commission thoroughly considered all of the issues raised by the Petitioners in making its determination to grant a certificate of need for the reasons set forth in the September 5 Order. Staff also points out that the Administrative Law Judge’s Report and the record in this matter is replete with information specific to all of the arguments made by Petitioners in their requests for reconsideration.
Comment: The PUC staff makes a mockery of the process by citing the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ’s) report to justify its recommendation. The ALJ’s report clearly rejects the route the PUC approved. On page 9 of the ALJ’s report, she writes:
The Administrative Law Judge finds that, based upon Applicant’s Preferred Route, the consequences for Minnesota outweigh the benefits of the Project, as it is proposed.
The PUC staff’s disregard for basic facts — and the gall it has in suggesting the ALJ’s report supports the PUC’s decision — erodes public confidence in the institution.
Friday, Nov. 15, Fundraiser to Stop Line 3 (and Get Free Ben & Jerry’s)
Honor the Earth, MN350, and Ben & Jerry’s are hosting a day of free ice cream to celebrate this community of resistance and spread the word about Enbridge’s dirty plans. Come hang out and taste Ben & Jerry’s newest flavor, Pecan Resist, which they created to support Honor the Earth.
Where: Ben & Jerry’s near Bde Maka Ska and Whole Foods — 3070 Excelsior Blvd in Minneapolis
When: 4-6 p.m.
RSVP: Online — and watch for a Facebook event soon!
Saturday, Nov. 17, Fundraiser to Support Indigenous Women Opposing Line 3
For Saturday — join Honor the Earth and MN 350 for an evening with renowned native musicians Annie Humphrey and Keith Secola, and with local opener Freaque. The event will raise funds for Ginew, a grassroots, frontlines effort led by indigenous women to protect Anishinaabe territory from the destruction of Enbridge’s Line 3 oil pipeline. Come out for a beautiful evening of music and community to fuel the fight against Line 3! Make sure to get your tickets in the RSVP link below.
Where: In the Heart of the Beast, 1500 E Lake St in Minneapolis
When: Doors 6:30 p.m., music starts 7 p.m.
RSVP: Buy tickets online now or at the door; share the Facebook event. $15, all ages
Save the Date: “We Can Still Stop Line 3!” Action Event Dec. 8
A number of groups working to Stop Line 3 are organizing an educational and action event on Saturday, Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m. at the Communication Workers of America Hall, 3571 East Lake Street, Minneapolis. It will include updates on Enbridge Line and breakout sessions to discuss ways to get more involved in the effort to stop this dangerous project. Event organizers are: MN Can’t Wait, Youth Climate Intervenors, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Sierra Club North Star Chapter and MN 350.
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