Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced approvals for Enbridge’s Line 3 project, including the 401 Water Quality Certification, along with the final eight projects permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“Clearly this is a big day for Line 3 in Minnesota,” said Leo Golden, vice president of Line 3 Execution. “These authorizations and approvals are an important step towards construction for this safety and maintenance focused replacement project which comes at an important time for Minnesota.”
This decision from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, including the project’s 401 Water Quality Certification clears the way for a determination from the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding federal permits.
The Line 3 project has been designed to avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive streams and wetlands. Enbridge pipelines have coexisted with the nation’s most productive wild rice waters for 70 years.
The authorizations and permits approved today by the Minnesota DNR range from a license for utility crossing of state land and public water, to water appropriation for dust control, hydrostatic testing and horizontal directional drilling. Enbridge has now received all 10 of the DNR permits and authorizations for the safety and maintenance focused Line 3 Replacement Project. The project still needs final permits and authorizations before construction can begin.
The thorough, robust, science-based review of the project over the past six years has led to evidence-based approvals, states Enbridge.
The project will provide significant economic benefits. Line 3 is a shovel-ready, $2.6-billion private investment that will bring 4,200 construction jobs, millions of dollars in local spending and tax revenues in Northern Minnesota.
