On Friday, Enbridge announced its decision to delay the Enbridge Line 3 replacement pipeline until the second half of 2020, a year longer than was initially expected. That decision was the result of an appeal by Department of Commerce of the Public Utilities Commission’s approval of the Certificate of Need and Governor Walz’s decision to continue moving forward with that challenge under his administration.
 
Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement in response:

“I was disappointed to hear of Enbridge’s decision to delay construction of the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project. The blame for the delay falls squarely on the shoulders of Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. As Walz and the Department continue to obstruct the project residents of my district and across greater Minnesota will go without good-paying union jobs and the significant economic investment this project will bring. As Enbridge continues to move forward with the project, I will continue to stand with the countless Minnesotans from across the state that will benefit from the completion of this project.”

Senator Eichorn has been a long supporter of the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project. A study by the University of Minnesota Duluth determined the project would bring over $2 billion in direct and related spending. Additionally, the project would create an estimated 8,600 jobs, amounting to a payroll of $344 million over two years and an additional $19.5 million in property tax revenue annually.