St. Paul, Minn. (Dec. 4, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decision today to deny the motion for stay of the Line 3 Replacement Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Route Permit and Certificate of Need:

“The extensive scientific record of the Line 3 Replacement Project prevailed again today as the motion for a stay of the project was denied. Jobs for Minnesotans thank the MPUC Commissioners for the thoughtful deliberations and considerations during today’s special commission meeting.

“The impact of a stay would be far too great not only to the thousands of skilled professionals who have started or will soon start work on the project – depending on its employment and healthcare benefits; but also to the surrounding communities, environment and watersheds of the existing 51-year-old pipeline being replaced.

“Construction has been deemed essential work under the Governor’s executive order since the beginning of the pandemic. Safety is the core value of the construction industry and is the absolute top priority of our union members and Enbridge – this includes COVID-19 mitigation for workers and communities. Enbridge and its partners have committed to follow the latest guidance provided by local, federal and international public-health and government authorities to protect workers and communities in order to minimize transmissions of COVID-19 during construction.

“The Line 3 Replacement Project has been reviewed by multiple state and federal agencies, and all permits and certificates have been issued. Enbridge has also collaborated and signed agreements with tribal governments along the right-of-way including Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

“It’s time for all Minnesotans to accept the sound agency decisions based on an expansive scientific record and come together as a state to advance this critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure and economy. Especially for the communities along the route that are experiencing high unemployment rates and economic disparities compared to the Twin Cities.

“Jobs for Minnesotans now looks forward to supporting a safe and respectful work environment for the communities along the corridor and for construction workers as this project continues to be built.”

St. Paul, Minn. (November 30, 2020) – Today, after six years of rigorous and thorough scientific regulatory review, the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project received the final permit clearing the path for construction to begin. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued the storm water permit representing the final step to full regulatory approval.

“Today is nothing short of a triumph for what we’ve been fighting for all along – a predictable, fair and thorough regulatory process in the state of Minnesota,” said Doug Loon, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. “This is the right time with the right environmental protections for Enbridge’s $2.6 billion private investment in our state.”

Jobs for Minnesotans and its members commend Governor Walz, the dedicated MPCA, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioners and agency professionals for fulfilling their responsibility to Minnesotans. And, for approving the best option to protect our communities and environment replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies.

“As the most thoroughly reviewed project in Minnesota’s history, it’s time for this project to be built and bring the much needed 4,200 union construction jobs to greater Minnesota,” said Harry Melander, president of the Minnesota Construction and Building Trades Council. “We now call on all Minnesotans to support a safe and respectful work environment for the communities along the corridor and construction workers as this project is built.”

The Line 3 Replacement Project has been reviewed by multiple state and federal agencies. Enbridge has also collaborated and signed agreements with tribal governments along the right-of-way including Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Additionally, to minimize transmissions of COVID-19 during construction, Enbridge has also submitted a comprehensive COVID preparedness plan to the Minnesota Department of Health aligning with its deep commitment to protecting the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the public.

The Line 3 project will bring a $2.6 billion investment in the state’s energy infrastructure and 6,500 local jobs over the course of construction. This comes at a time where unemployment rates along the corridor of the project’s route are still painfully high and average annual incomes fall well below the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area even in a normal economy. Most importantly, the project is needed to replace an aging pipeline and protect Minnesota’s environment for generations.

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 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members 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

St. Paul, Minn. (November 12, 2020) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) issuing its remaining eight permits and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issuing the 401 Water Quality Certification for the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project:

“Today is an exciting day for Jobs for Minnesotans and all supporters of responsible industry in the state. We commend the MPCA and MDNR for the thorough review of the Line 3 Replacement Project and adhering to timelines set earlier this year. We thank the dedicated agency professionals for their responsibility to Minnesotans. And, for approving the best option to protect our communities and environment replacing an aging pipeline on which the state relies.

“Today’s news paves the way for all remaining permits to be issued and for the Line 3 project to begin construction soon. Jobs for Minnesotans now looks forward to supporting a safe and respectful work environment for the communities along the corridor and for construction workers as this project moves into the construction phase.

“We encourage all Minnesotans to accept the sound agency decisions based on an expansive scientific record and the fact that the project has proven it will meet and, when possible, exceed regulations as outlined by law. It’s time we come together as a state to advance this critical $2.6 billion dollar private investment in Minnesota’s energy infrastructure.

“While unemployment rates along the corridor of the Line 3 route are still above 20 percent, the project will create timely and impactful investment in and bring thousands of jobs to northern 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

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

October 14, 2020 – Jobs for Minnesotans along with its business, labor and community members submitted the following letter last month to elected Minnesota leaders imploring them to urgently pass a bonding bill to address critical projects across the state. View the full letter submitted last month below: