In his commentary on March 1, Eric Enberg of the Duluth Citizens' Climate Lobby and Duluth Climate and Environment Network seemed to think electric cars would eliminate the need for Line 3. His "Local View" column was headlined, "Growing popularity of electric cars makes Line 3 a puzzler." Perhaps I can help with the puzzle.
I am a retired electrical engineer with more than 30 years of experience designing and operating the Midwest's high-power, long-distance electrical network. There are similarities between electrical networks and pipeline networks.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has declared pipelines critical infrastructure. Enberg's positive comments about pipeline vandalism did not benefit either "climate activists" or the public.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, Minnesota produces no oil, natural gas, or propane, but the state used an estimated 1,064 trillion BTUs of petroleum and natural gas products in 2016 and relies on an interstate network of pipelines for delivery. The agency also states that Minnesota plays an important role in moving fossil fuels through the Midwest and beyond.
In 2015, there were more than 7.4 million registered motor vehicles in Minnesota, with the number of vehicles growing with the population, according to MinnPost. After decades of government subsidies and media promotion of electric cars, the Minnesota Commerce Department reported there were only 5,992 electric vehicles registered in 2018. Waiting for electric vehicles has been like waiting for Godot.
ADVERTISEMENT
To arbitrarily remove a critical link in the pipeline network of the Midwest just because there is a perceived opportunity to do so is irrational.
Daniel L. Carlson
Duluth
