One Pipeline Moves Forward In Minnesota While Another Takes Step Back In East

On November 12, the relevant agencies in Minnesota approved permits and authorizations for construction of Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement pipeline in that state. Specifically, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said the project will not violate state water quality standards and set out 35 conditions under which the project could proceed. Click here to read the agency’s decision.

According to MSCI’s partners at the Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance, this decision demonstrates that when regulators base their decisions on science, facts, and the compelling interests of the people they serve, badly needed energy infrastructure will be approved and built.

Enbridge estimates the project will provide significant economic benefits for counties, small businesses, Native American communities, and union members. For example, Line 3 is a shovel-ready, $2.6-billion private investment that will bring 4,200 family-sustaining construction jobs, millions of dollars in local spending and tax revenues to Minnesota.

Unfortunately, there also was some bad news last week related to pipeline construction. As Politico reported, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals granted environmental groups’ request for a stay on stream- and wetland-crossing permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline in southern West Virginia and Virginia. That decision extends an emergency stay issued in October that will now remain in effect until the court can rule on the groups’ petition to overturn Army Corps of Engineers’ permits for the pipeline.