In a tremendous victory for Anishinaabe tribes and those concerned about the environment and clean water, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced today that energy transportation company Enbridge has not established a need for its proposed tar sands pipeline through northern Minnesota. Further, it said the environmental risks to Minnesota outweigh the economic benefits.
The announcement doesn’t stop the project, but it sets a very high bar for it to receive approval. Here are a few key paragraphs from Commerce’s media release:
Oil market analysis indicates that Enbridge has not established a need for the proposed project; the pipeline would primarily benefit areas outside Minnesota; and serious environmental and socioeconomic risks and effects outweigh limited benefits. …
… the comprehensive 338-page testimony concludes that Enbridge has not established a need for the proposed project in Minnesota as required under state rules. …
The analysis also notes that Enbridge did not provide a sufficient analysis of future demand, and independently finds that “Minnesota demand for refined products appears unlikely to increase in the long term.” …
The testimony also reviews other existing and planned pipelines in Canada and the U.S. and finds that they might be reasonable alternatives to a new Line 3, if a need is demonstrated. …
The testimony also recommends that if a certificate of need is issued, regardless of its decision about removal of the existing Line 3 for its entire right-of-way, the PUC should (where it has regulatory authority) require Enbridge to remove all 223 segments (8,496 feet) of exposed pipeline in Minnesota.
In addition, the testimony analyzes what conditions the PUC [Minnesota Public Utilities Commission] should require if it does issue a certificate of need. These include a stronger emergency response plan; a more secure backup control center; thicker pipe throughout the length of the route; back-up power for shut-off valves; and insurance coverage and financial protections for clean-up of a major release and for decommissioning the pipeline at the end of its useful life.
Comment: The recommendation that Enbridge use a thicker pipe through the length of the route is very significant. Enbridge already has staged pipeline along the route, apparently assuming it would get approval. It appears that this pipeline would not meet standards. It would be very costly to Enbridge to scrap the current pipeline and order new pipe.
Next steps: The final PUC vote on the project is not expected until April 30. The PUC will continuing to hold public hearings around the state on Enbridge Line 3’s route permit and certificate of need. There are two back-to-back hearing in the metro area, both Thursday, Sept. 28, 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at St. Paul Intercontinental Hotel, 11 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Please attend and let your voice be heard. Today’s announcement from Commerce is very encouraging, but we still need to show up and speak out.
Multiple groups are organizing a march and rally in between the two St. Paul public hearings. The rally will start at 4 p.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol. Here is a Facebook Page for the event, sponsored by Stop Line 3, Youth Climate Intervenors, Young Peoples Action Coalition, Honor the Earth, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, MN350, Sierra Club (North Star Chapter), Climate Generation and Power Shift Network.
Commerce also is taking public comments on the adequacy of the EIS until 4:30 p.m. Oct. 2. To learn how to submit comments, click here. In November, the review process shifts to a more judicial format.
Keep reading for the full statement.
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