On Tuesday, April 17, bipartisan legislation co-authored by Senator Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) passed the Senate’s Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee. The bill, SF 3510, authorizes the construction of Enbridge’s $2.9 billion-dollar Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Project.

Senator Johnson issued the following statement:

“After multiple years of planning and years of working with stakeholders, Minnesota knows Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 Replacement Project will benefit northern Minnesota both economically and environmentally. Unfortunately, a series of hurdles from the current governor’s administration has hamstrung a great project – which was ordered to be replaced during the Obama Administration. The result is significant delays in pipeline development and forcing oil transportation by rail. This ties up our rail infrastructure which would otherwise be hauling our ag commodities. It’s time stop the politics and give Enbridge the Certificate of Need so this project can start boosting our region’s economy and help our great communities thrive.”

The proposed project would replace the current 1,031 miles of pipeline with the newest, safest, and most advanced pipeline technology while bringing jobs and significant investments to northern Minnesota. As it stands, the original pipeline only operates at half capacity due to concern over the integrity and safety of the aging line. Upon completion, the international project will increase North American oil production helping to meet the domestic demand and lowering energy costs for consumers across the continent.