Minnesota ruling boosts Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 replacement

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota pollution regulators properly considered the construction impacts of Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace the 337-mile segment of its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline that crosses the state, an administrative law judge ruled Friday in a blow to environmental and tribal groups fighting the project. Judge James LaFave issued the opinion following a request by opponents for a trial-like “contested case hearing” on the draft water permits for the project, which the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approved in February. LaFave wrote that the challengers “failed to prove” both that the project would permanently impact water quality and wetlands; and that the MPCA and Enbridge had undercounted the amount of wetlands that would be affected. The opponents say the Canadian tar sands oil that the new line would carry would aggravate climate change, while threatening pristine waters in northern Minnesota where Native Americans harvest wild rice.