It has been incredible to witness over the past couple of weeks officials from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granting nearly all the permits needed to replace the aging Enbridge Line 3 pipeline across northern Minnesota. The benefits to our environment and the security of a safe and reliable supply of energy are clear. It would have been better for our environment and our energy well-being had Line 3 been replaced several years ago; but now is the time.
The Minnesota Petroleum Marketing Association is made up of more than 450 small, family retail businesses from across the state who supply the fuel needs for transportation, mining, and farming. We are the ones who see the demand ahead, understand the trends, and know the consumers’ needs for this pipeline replacement project. We’ve followed this process.
Back in June when the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission once again agreed with the science and the need for the Line 3 replacement, PUC Commissioner John Tuma said, “I’m confident in the long run this permit will be viewed as the gold standard for petroleum infrastructure replacement.”
Commissioner Tuma was right, and the massive investment in our communities could not come at a more important time for our economy, for communities in northern Minnesota, and for our association’s members. We are excited to provide the fuel and other convenience-store items to the highly trained, skilled workers who will be constructing the Line 3 replacement over the upcoming months.
Line 3 is truly the gold standard in infrastructure replacement. Our communities, environment, and economy are thankful for it.
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Timothy Gross
Duluth
The writer is executive director of the St. Paul-based Minnesota Petroleum Marketers Association (mpmaonline.com).
