St. Paul, Minn. (May 9, 2018) – Jobs for Minnesotans issued the following statement about today’s deadline for filing formal responses to the April 23, 2018, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) report on the Line 3 Replacement Project.
“We fully recognize that an important part of the regulatory process is to review the Administrative Law Judge’s recommendation and bring to light issues we find with it. We’re pleased that our member organizations are engaged in this process and continue to share their support for the certificate of need and preferred route.
“The preferred route strikes the right balance for Minnesota. Unfortunately, the ALJ’s recommendation for in-trench replacement along the current route ignores the testimony of many Minnesota voices, including evidence about worker safety and environmental protection. Heavy equipment activity on the existing Line 3 right of way introduces construction risks that would not exist on Enbridge’s preferred route, a route that offers greater protection to workers and communities.
“The ALJ’s recommendation would also require shutting down Line 3 for 16 months while it’s replaced. Shutting down this pipeline for that length of time would cause unnecessary harm to Minnesota’s economy with rising gas prices and lost jobs.
“Ultimately, the judge’s recommendation ignores the overwhelming evidence for the preferred route for the project and delays living wage jobs in Northern Minnesota. We urge the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to make a common sense decision to approve the certificate of need and route permit for the preferred route, based on the strong evidence supplied during the regulatory process.”
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, Jobs for Minnesotans Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978