Line 3 Pipeline Replacement

Enbridge's proposed Line 3 replacement project requires two approvals from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) - a certificate of need (CN) and a route permit. Enbridge applied to the Commission for these approvals in April 2015.

The Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requires that an environmental impact statement (EIS) be prepared for major governmental actions that have the potential for creating significant environmental impacts. To fulfill its MEPA responsibilities, the Commission has authorized the preparation of an EIS that addresses Enbridge's CN and route permit applications. The Commission has authorized Commerce's Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) staff to prepare the EIS, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The EIS will be issued in draft form, a draft EIS, so that it can be improved through public comment. A final EIS will be developed based on comments received on the draft EIS. Upon completion of the final EIS, public hearings will be held in the project area. The hearings will be presided over by an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the Office of Administrative Hearings. The hearings will address Enbridge's CN and route permit applications. At the public hearings, citizens will have an opportunity to submit comments, present evidence, and ask questions. After completion of the hearings, the ALJ will submit a report to the Commission with findings of facts, conclusions of law, and recommendations regarding a CN and route permit for the project. Decisions by the Commission on Enbridge's CN and route permit applications are anticipated in the spring of 2018. Click here for an environmental review and permitting flowchart.

During the environmental review and hearing processes for the Line 3 project, the Department of Commerce and other agencies may receive questions from citizens, local governments, and tribes about the project. Twice a month we'll summarize here the questions that we've received and the answers that we've provided. Hopefully, these questions and answers will be helpful to all persons participating in the state's environmental review and hearing processes for the Line 3 project.

If you have a question about the Line 3 project or the state's environmental review and hearing processes for the Line 3 project, please contact us. Scroll down to the "Participate" section on this webpage and you'll find phone and email contacts for Department of Commerce and Commission staff.

• January 9, 2017. Topics: maps; schedule; viewing testimony
• January 23, 2017. Topics: SA-04; changes in oil blends; the social cost of carbon
• February 6, 2017. Topics: decommissioning in-place of existing Line 3; Canadian National Energy Board report
• February 20, 2017. Topics: U.S. State Department draft supplemental EIS for Line 67
• April 10, 2017. Topics: Draft EIS issuance date; participating in public hearings
• May 30, 2017. Topics: Draft EIS at libraries; public meeting format; Draft EIS comments
• June 26, 2017. Topics: Availability of Draft EIS comments
• September 12, 2017. Topics: Final EIS and Public Hearing Comment Periods

Sign up for the project mailing list to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate (meetings, comment periods, etc.).  Contact docketing.puc@state.mn.us, 651-201-2204Call: 651-201-2204, or 1-800-657-3782 Call: 1-800-657-3782 with the project's docket number(s), your name, mailing address, and email address.  The Line 3 project has two docket numbers.  The docket number for Enbridge's certificate of need application is 14-916.  The docket number for Enbridge's route permit application is 15-137.

To review all documents filed with the Commission regarding the Line 3 project, go to: http://www.mn.gov/puc/, click on "Search Documents, eDockets," and enter the docket number.  The Line 3 project has two docket numbers.  The docket number for Enbridge's certificate of need application is 14-916.  The docket number for Enbridge's route permit application is 15-137.

To receive an email every time a document is filed with the Commission regarding the Line 3 project, create a subscription with the Commission's electronic docketing system (eDockets).  Go to: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/subscription/createSubscription.do?method=subscribeNew and follow the instructions.

If you have questions or need more information please contact:

Minnesota Department of Commerce (Environmental Review)

• Andrew Levi, andrew.levi@state.mn.us,  651-539-1840 or 1-800-657-3794 Call: 1-800-657-3794
• Ray Kirsch, raymond.kirsch@state.mn.us, 651-539-1841 Call: 651-539-1841 or 1-800-657-3794Call: 1-800-657-3794

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Permitting and Commission Process)

• Scott Ek, scott.ek@state.mn.us or 651-201-2255 Call: 651-201-2255

Enbridge Energy (Line 3 Project)

• enbridgeinmn@enbridge.com, 1-855-788-7805 Call: 1-855-788-7805