Enbridge Line 3: Minnesota court deals yet another setback to pipeline foes
Source: Associated Press
Minnesota court deals yet another setback to pipeline foes
By STEVE KARNOWSKI
August 30, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed a decision by state pollution regulators to issue a water quality certification for Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline, the latest setback for opponents who are trying to stop the project as it nears completion.
The appeals court ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s approval was “supported by substantial evidence in the record.”
Under the federal Clean Water Act, the MPCA was required to certify whether the project met state and federal clean water standards. The MPCA concluded in November 2020 that it did. That certification cleared the way for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue the remaining federal permit for the pipeline replacement less than two weeks later.
Two tribal governments and three environmental groups challenged the MPCA’s decision on several grounds, asserting that the state agency failed to consider alternative routes and improperly determined that the project would comply with state water quality and wetlands standards. The MPCA and Enbridge argued that the appeal was moot because the Army Corps of Engineers had already approved the final permit.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/canada-business-environment-and-nature-minnesota-2a141ce355b49ab09c061d49634913b0