Opinion: Line 3 is a Necessary Project

The Line 3 Pipeline is a controversial public works project in northern Minnesota that would replace a crumbling oil pipeline built in the 1960s. Protestors are calling this a human atrocity and a climate change nightmare. In actuality, Line 3 is meant to prevent another Keystone or spill within the Gulf of Mexico. 

Environmentalists like to point the finger of accountability at corporations when disasters occur. 

The original pipeline is disintegrating and, in fact, caused the largest inland oil spill in the United States in 1991. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) recognizes that the current pipeline has known integrity risks. Are we supposed to just leave a broken pipeline that could cause another massive oil leak?

Enbridge, the company in charge of building the new Line 3, says that with modern construction techniques, replacing the old pipeline is much safer than transporting oil by truck or train and better than operating a rotting pipeline. Without Line 3, crude oil will be transported in more dangerous ways. Environmentalists cannot “cry wolf” on climate change when Line 3 would cut the chances of a pollution disaster and dangerous work conditions.

This project has been put through the ringer of government bureaucracy, yet has been approved after 70 public comment meetings and numerous evaluations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MPUC, and Minnesota departments of pollution control and commerce. Although delayed more than three years past the proposed completion date, Line 3 is legally on its way to completion. The project is already 60% complete.

Another objection to the project is the violation of Native American tribal land treaties. This is simply not true. The new pipeline route avoids three Indian American reservations. The original Line 3 route would have cut through the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe reservation, but the tribe opposed the construction and Enbridge detoured 50 extra miles to respect their opposition.

The only part of the project that involves tribal land is a segment through the Fond du Lac Band reservation. This was agreed upon by the tribal leaders and Enbridge. In a statement by Tribal Council Chairman Kevin Dupuis Sr., “The benefits to the band far exceed those of potential alternatives, and the agreement was the result of months of extensive consideration and strong advocacy on behalf of the band.”

No treaty violations are to be found.

In fact, the deal will protect wild rice waters and other valuable assets. Line 3 will also repair the old pipeline already in the band’s territory, and the Fond du Lac will also be financially compensated. 

Not only will the tribe receive economic benefits to the project, but northern Minnesota will as well. The pipeline is projected to create 4,200 jobs for two years. The Minnesota economy will indirectly receive millions of dollars in the form of property taxes, buying of local materials and workers spending money in the community.

Instead of violating Native American rights or destroying the environment, Line 3 is a public works project meant to fix an obvious problem and benefits the economy all while respecting the legal system and legitimate development.

Browder is an opinion writer.