Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) made a commonsense decision in unanimously approving the “certificate of need” for the replacement of the Line 3 pipeline in Northern Minnesota. The current 1960s-era pipeline is decaying before our eyes and threatening our environment and safety. By approving this much needed project, our state will not only be safeguarded from potential environmental safety concerns, but the pipeline will once again be able to function at full capacity.

During the 2018 legislative session, I chief-authored bipartisan legislation that would have authorized construction of the Line 3 pipeline. After passing both bodies of the legislature with bipartisan support, Governor Dayton vetoed the bill. Today, the PUC acknowledged what the Legislature knew and Governor Dayton’s radical environmentalist supporters couldn’t admit:  the vast majority of Minnesotans want this line replaced.

Originally ordered to be replaced during the Obama Administration, the Line 3 project has been extensively vetted, meets our state’s regulatory standards, and has jumped through thirty different approval hoops over nearly three years. The PUC has finally put an end to these costly delays. This project will bring sustainable, good-paying jobs to our state, improve our rural communities, and ensure oil is transported in the safest way possible across Minnesota. I look forward to construction beginning in the near future.”

Senator David Osmek is the Chairman of the Minnesota Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee. Serving as Senator for District 33, he represents communities in Carver and Hennepin counties.