St. Paul, Minn. (Feb. 12, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to Governor Walz’ decision to continue the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s appeal challenging the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need that was dismissed by the Minnesota Court of Appeals:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is disappointed by Governor Walz’s decision to continue the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s appeal of the Line 3 Replacement Project’s Certificate of Need. We stand behind the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (MPUC) unanimous approval of the Line 3 Replacement Project Certificate of Need following a rigorous and thorough four year review. The MPUC commissioners understood the sense of urgency to replace this line to protect the environment, yet this decision dismisses their knowledge of the law and commitment to fairly and impartially weigh the merits of the project. Time after time, the project has been deemed necessary by the MPUC in the best interest of the public and the state of Minnesota.

“The project is a critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure, replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies for energy security and economic competitiveness. The project will provide quality jobs to more than 6,500 Minnesota workers during the course of the project, including 2,100 family-sustaining construction jobs. And, bring Minnesota tradespeople back home to work.

“We strongly encourage Governor Walz to issue permits in a timely manner to prevent any further delays to the Line 3 Replacement Project while this appeal continues through the courts.”

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, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978