Gov. Tim Walz just took action to try to prevent the construction of the Line 3 crude oil replacement pipeline project across northern Minnesota ("Walz will continue the appeal of oil pipeline project approval," Feb. 12).
Activists who oppose the project claim it threatens oil spills in pristine waters in the Mississippi River headwaters region. But if these activists are afraid of spills, they should be the pipeline project's most enthusiastic supporters. The new Line 3 project would replace a pipeline that is half a century old and operating at half of its original capacity. The whole point of the replacement project is to make the pipeline safer and reduce the likelihood of spills.
Activists should lament the governor's decision, not applaud it.
If Gov. Walz really believes in "one Minnesota," as his election campaign championed, then he needs to support the Line 3 pipeline in northern Minnesota. Anything less is a broken campaign promise.
Wade Fremling
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Saginaw