Minnesota regulator confirms approval for Line 3 pipeline replacement

Minnesota regulator has refused petitions to reconsider the approval of Enbridge’s $7bn Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement project.

The approval was originally awarded last June. The Minnesota Department of Commerce and environmental groups petitioned the regulator to scrap the approval.

A petition was also filed by Minnesota’s governor, challenging the regulator’s nod.

The petitioners approached the Minnesota Court of Appeals to revoke approvals for the Line 3 project. The court then referred the case back to the regulator last month.

On 26 March, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reaffirmed its approval of the pipeline replacement project and rejected all the petitions.

The proposed Line 3 replacement project involves rebuilding the ageing 1,031-mile pipeline that carries crude oil from Alberta in Western Canada to the US state of Wisconsin.

Enbridge was quoted by Reuters as saying: “The PUC confirmed its decision to approve the conditions placed on L3R’s (Line 3 Replacement) Certificate of Need – conditions meant to protect Minnesotans – allowing this critical energy infrastructure modernisation project to move forward.”

The decision is set to offer relief to the Canadian oil industry, which is suffering from a lack of pipeline infrastructure, reported the news agency.

Earlier this month, Enbridge disclosed that it is slowing down the development of the project. This would mean the project would be delayed by at least a year with an in-service date expected during the second half of 2020.