Minnesota Regulators Reaffirm Enbridge Pipeline

Minnesota regulators have reaffirmed their support for Enbridge Energy’s proposal to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.

The Public Utilities Commission on Monday rejected a motion by opponents to reconsider its previous decision to grant a certificate of need for the project.

And the commissioners agreed that Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge has met several additional conditions they imposed when they approved the plan in June, including requirements for insurance coverage against spills and financial assurances for covering the costs of removing the pipeline at the end of its life.

Environmental and tribal groups say the project would aggravate climate change and endanger pristine waters in northern Minnesota. Dozens of their supporters walked out of the hearing and marched to the office of Gov. Elect Tim Walz.

Earlier today, opponents of Enbridge Energy’s proposed Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement shouted their objections as Minnesota regulators opened a hearing on the project.

Several protesters chanted that the pipeline would be a climate change disaster. That prompted Public Utilities Commission Chairwoman Nancy Lange to call for order shortly after the hearing began Monday.

Dozens of opponents watching in an overflow hearing room took up the chant before walking out. The hearing itself continued.

The hearing is a resumption of one the commission postponed in September after protester s disrupted it.

The commission approved the project this summer. The hearing is on whether Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge has met conditions that commissioners imposed then concerning insurance against spills and other issues.