The Better In Our Back Yard Board of Directors is extremely disappointed to learn about the MPCA’s decision to move to a contested case process for the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project.

This is another example of a delay that could have been avoided. The Line 3 Replacement project included one of the most comprehensive stakeholder engagement processes the State of Minnesota has witnessed.

Having safe, reliable and efficient access to resources is a foundational element of a healthy economy. This decision delays the replacement of aged infrastructure and comes at a time when Minnesota communities and business owners could benefit from the $2.6 billion private investment.

Our economy will require investments in large-scale industrial projects like Line 3 to help recover from the current recession. There is no region or state that is better suited to hold up the environmental standards important to bringing jobs and investment to our communities. We must do better, Minnesota. We need these projects, and believe they are done better – here in our back yard.