ST. PAUL, MN—On Tuesday, February 12, State Representative Sandy Layman (R-Cohasset) issued the following statement regarding Governor Tim Walz's decision to proceed with efforts to challenge the Enbridge Line 3 replacement pipeline. The petition for reconsideration challenges the unanimous decision by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to grant the certificate of need for the pipeline.
“I am disappointed to learn of the Governor’s decision to continue state-backed legal challenges and further delay this project,” said Layman, who joined fellow legislators at a press conference Tuesday morning in support of the Line 3 project. “Pipelines are the safest, most environmentally-sound way to transport oil, and the Governor should trust the experts who have signed off on this pipeline and let construction move forward. Through the property tax revenue and the countless of good-paying jobs it will provide, this pipeline represents a tremendous economic impact to northern Minnesotan communities. I will continue to stand with these communities and support this important project.”
Just this week, the Star Tribune reported that safety officials are concerned by increased oil train traffic coming in from Canada. The article specifically cited "pipeline limbo" as a factor that is partially to blame for the increase in rail traffic.
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