It would appear that the majority of citizens believe that transporting crude oil in pipelines, like the proposed Sandpiper line and the replacement Line 3, both by Enbridge, is the safest method to transport this natural resource. Most of the pipeline concerns relate to the current and future environment impact on the Enbridge selected pipeline location which must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
What is even more concerning is the introduction of House File 21 in the current legislative session. This bill is to require PUC to issue or deny pipeline routing permits within 150 days of permit submission and other permitting steps. It does not say if this is calendar days or standard work days.
One wonders if this means that good environmental reviews by all the regulatory agencies are not truly needed? This piece of legislation is directed at only the installation of these new pipelines in Minnesota. What if tomorrow a new electrical transmission line is proposed to meet the growing demand for electric? What if a new power plant is proposed including nuclear power to reduce the dependence of fossil fuels. Will these also have just a 150 day review by all regulatory agencies? Or is House File 21 a selective pipeline money bill for some?
Let us also not forget the latest broken pipeline with oil flowing under the frozen river ice and little or no cleanup possible until the ice melts. And think of the community which now has no drinking water.
Kent Rees
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Emily
