Bemidji, Minnesota (March 7, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today called on representatives from business, labor and the community to voice support for Enbridge’s Line 67 Expansion ahead of a U.S. Department of State public hearing in Bemidji about the company’s application for a Presidential Permit for the border crossing and the associated draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
“When it comes to oil transportation, there is no question that pipelines are the safest and most environmentally friendly way to move oil to market,” said Russell Hess, board member, Jobs for Minnesotans and political coordinator, Laborers District Council of Minnesota & North Dakota. “We stand here today in support of safe energy transportation, and we support Enbridge and their commitment to safety, the environment and doing the right thing. We ask the State Department to approve the Presidential Permit for the Line 67 Expansion without further delay.”
The proposed expansion has been thoroughly reviewed – for four years – using the established regulatory process culminating in a 700-page draft SEIS that found no significant adverse environmental impacts.
Hess was joined in Bemidji by other representatives from business, labor and community who echoed their support for moving forward expeditiously to expand capacity across the U.S.-Canada border on Enbridge’s existing Line 67 pipeline. Speakers included:
• Kyle Makarios, Vice-Chair, Jobs for Minnesotans, and Director of Government Affairs, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
• Jim Lucachick, Commissioner, Beltrami County & Owner, Lucachick Architecture, Inc.
• Michael Stang, L.S., Owner, Northwestern Surveying and Engineering, Inc.
• Lori A. Schott, President, Avery Pipeline Services, Inc.
The permit approval Enbridge is seeking is to use the available capacity on its existing Line 67 pipeline to its potential of 800,000 barrels per day. Without the expansion, Enbridge is not able to transport the volumes of crude oil its customers have demanded, and less safe modes of transportation such as rail or truck may be required to get that oil to market.
Video of Russell Hess at the press conference is available for download here: https://vimeo.com/user15260961/review/207356102/8172e3a14f
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: Meagan Pick
JobsforMinnesotans@gmail.com
Cell: 913.491.6754