GAIN Statement on Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling on Line 3
The Minnesota Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request from environmental and tribal groups to challenge an environmental impact assessment of the proposed Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline. The Minnesota Court of Appeals had previously ruled that the pipeline’s environmental impact statement met required standards in regard to its impact on tribal resources. If completed, the project would replace the existing 50-year-old Line 3 and carry 760,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada, to Superior, Wisconsin.
Below is a statement that can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition:
“The GAIN Coalition applauds the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling dismissing these challenges to Line 3. Yesterday’s decision moves the pipeline one step closer to beginning construction as the permitting process continues. Groups claiming to be concerned about environmental impact undermine their argument considering this project would replace an outdated pipeline with a new, modern pipeline with the latest technology.
“Recent global events remind us that safely developing and shipping North American natural resources is an important hedge against terrorist acts and unstable regimes. Shutting off our regional energy resources only serves to strengthen the hands of freedom’s adversaries like Russia, Venezuela, and Iran. As a global leader in recoverable assets, Canada and the United States have a tremendous opportunity – and responsibility – to help mitigate potential energy supply disruptions and Line 3 can help in that pursuit.”