ST. PAUL, MN—House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, issued the following statement regarding today’s meeting unanimous 5-0 vote by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve the certificate of need for the Line 3 replacement pipeline.
“Approval of the Line 3 pipeline is welcome news to Minnesotans who have been waiting far too long for the good-paying jobs, property tax revenue, and enhanced environmental protections that this project will deliver,” Daudt said. “It’s encouraging that despite excessive delays and roadblocks throughout the process that the PUC agreed that this is the best path forward for Minnesota. I strongly urge the PUC to avoid any poison pill conditions aimed at derailing the certificate of need.”
While the certificate of need was approved, additional action was taken to determine some conditions for the certificate, and additional action remains on route selection.
“Experts agree that replacing the pipeline is the best way to protect Minnesota waters—unfortunately too many extreme environmentalists can’t accept this fact and have threatened violent protests to disrupt construction. I hope Democrats will join Republicans in condemning threats of violence and stand with the Minnesota laborers who will be building this pipeline,” Daudt concluded.
House Republicans have been vocal supporters of the Line 3 replacement project, attending numerous PUC meetings to urge support for the project, and passing legislation that would have approved the certificate of need. That bill was vetoed by Governor Dayton earlier this year.
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