A regulatory panel on Friday denied a request from two First Nations to prevent Enbridge Energy from moving forward in Minnesota with its Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, which broke ground this week after receiving its final state permit. The replacement segments in Canada, North Dakota and Wisconsin are already operating, leaving only the 542-kilometre stretch in Minnesota. Enbridge began construction on the Minnesota portion after receiving a construction stormwater permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Monday, the final obstacle following years of legal challenges and environmental reviews. Attorneys for the two northern Minnesota First Nations argued that allowing construction to continue would cause irreparable harm should the court rule in their favour. In this 2018 photo, a No Trespassing sign is visible at a Enbridge Energy pipeline drilling pad along a rail line that traces the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Source: CBC News December 04, 2020 22:07 UTC