Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Gov. Mark Dayton said he doesn't see "any viable way" for Enbridge Energy to build its replacement Line 3 oil pipeline along its current route, as 

Full coverage of the Line 3 pipeline debate

What are your thoughts about the Line 3 pipeline proposal?

Line 3 currently runs through two tribal lands in northern Minnesota: the Leech Lake and Fond du Lac reservations. Enbridge wants to replace the aging pipeline along a new route that avoids the reservations in part of a plan that's raising growing opposition from environmentalists and tribes, among others. 

Administrative law judge Ann O'Reilly issued a non-binding recommendation on Monday that Minnesota regulators should approve the pipeline, but only if it runs along the current route and not Enbridge Energy's preferred new path. 

The governor said he is not taking a position on the issue until the Public Utilities Commission decides whether to give Enbridge its blessing to construct the Line 3 replacement. But he said the judge's recommendation doesn't seem feasible. 

"I don't see any viable way that that could be attempted or should be attempted going through the two tribal lands," Dayton said. "And given their adamant position they're against anything like that, I don't see how that's viable."

Pipeline plan tests state's environmental-business balance

The governor made his remarks at the Capitol Wednesday to a group of students attending a question-and-answer session as part of the Youth Climate Justice Summit, an annual event organized by the nonprofit 

 with support from other environmental organizations. 

, calling it "a clear attack on sovereignty and Tribal communities."

The governor said he hadn't yet read the judge's entire report as of Wednesday morning, but that he will "very soon."

The PUC is expected to decide in June whether to grant Enbridge the certificate of need that's required to go forward with the project.

Cody Nelson

Author

The governor said he is not taking a position on the contentious Line 3 replacement plan. But he said a judge's recommendation to run the new oil pipeline where the old one sits doesn't seem feasible because it runs through tribal lands.

Gov. Mark Dayton walks out of the courtroom after oral arguments concluded.

Dayton: No 'viable way' to build new Line 3 pipeline on current route

Go Deeper.

Like this?