St. Paul, Minn. (October 16, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the report released today by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) regarding the Line 3 Replacement Project’s 401 water certification permit to be issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA):
“This report confirms it’s time to permit the Line 3 Replacement Project and proceed with construction without further delay. We now urge the MPCA Commissioner to issue the 401 water certification permit based on the sound ALJ opinion that the selected route is the best option to protect Minnesota’s communities and environment.
We strongly stand behind the extensive six-year scientific record of the Line 3 Replacement Project. This project is the most thoroughly reviewed in Minnesota history and it’s time we come together as a state to advance this critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure.
We now call on all involved agencies, in addition to the MPCA, to move expeditiously to issue permits so our skilled tradespeople can get to work replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies for energy security and economic competitiveness.
Today’s news brings us closer to putting thousands of skilled tradespeople to work here at home in Minnesota. The project will create impactful investment in northeastern Minnesota communities feeling deep economic disparities right now and enhance the safety of our environment for generations to come.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
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Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978