Minnesota court deals another setback to Line 3 opponents

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Court of Appeals has affirmed a decision by state pollution regulators to issue a water quality certification for Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline.

It’s the latest setback for opponents as the project nears completion. The court ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s approval was “supported by substantial evidence in the record.”

“Once again the courts have failed the Anishinaabe and its treaties, the people of Minnesota and the protection of our mutually shared natural resources” according to Honor the Earth attorney Paul Blackburn.

“We will continue to press our case in tribal court whenever appropriate, and continue to resist the operation of Line 3 for the good of the state and the planet at a time of growing climate turmoil.”

Under federal law, the MPCA was required to certify whether the project met state and federal clean water standards.  The agency concluded that it did.

Nearly 900 Line 3 opponents have been arrested at protests along the route across northern Minnesota and in St. Paul.