Enbridge Inc T.ENB

RE:RE:RE:NR

[WalterWhy]

I don't that the MPCA contested hearing is going to be easy. It boggles the mind how many challenges and re-challenges can be launched.  ENB should be seeking legal costs from all these groups.

autofocus111 wrote: Another appeal of the MPUC decision is coming. Also not unexpected. I am confident it will be rejected. Each appeal of the PUC decisions will be less and less acceptable to the court. The MPCA decision to hold contested hearings on its water quality permit approval for the project is the last important hurdle to clear.

>>>The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted 4-1 to reject petitions for reconsideration filed by several Ojibwe bands, environmental groups and the state Commerce Department. Minnesota Public Radio News reported that the PUC rejected arguments from project opponents that regulators should consider new evidence that has emerged since they first approved the pipeline two years ago, including a drop in oil demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the commission voted to uphold the project’s certificate of need and route permit. Commissioners reasoned that the benefits of replacing an old, corroding pipeline with a new, modern one outweighed the project’s implications for climate change and potential impacts on lakes, rivers and wild rice beds in the northern third of Minnesota. “A new pipeline with thicker and safer materials, constructed with up-to-date safety standards by skilled laborers operating under prevailing wage laws, is a better outcome than leaving an old pipeline," commission Chair Katie Sieben said. Matt Schuerger was the lone commissioner to side with project opponents. Schuerger pushed for additional hearings to weigh new evidence on the demand for Canadian oil in light of the pandemic, climate change and the growth in electric vehicle usage. Line 3 opponents are expected to again challenge the PUC’s approval of the project at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Opponents were required to first ask the commission to reconsider its decision before they could file lawsuits.

https://www.gmtoday.com/business/minnesota-utility-regulators-reaffirm-support-for-line-3/article_38a64d44-b79b-11ea-bd57-1f8f9f054aa0.html

>>>CALGARY, AB and DULUTH, MN, June 3, 2020 /CNW/ - On February 26, 2020 the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued the draft 401 Water Quality Certificate permit for the Line 3 Replacement Project. Following a public comment period, the MPCA announced today that it will conduct a contested case hearing regarding the 401 permit. The timeline for the contested case hearing will be established after an Administrative Law Judge is assigned to the case.  While the MPCA previously stated its intention to meet the US Army Corps of Engineers' August 15, 2020 deadline, that date has been extended to November 14, 2020 which is within the one-year anniversary of our application, as required by statute. Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB) (TSX: ENB) will continue to work with other permitting agencies towards the timely issuance of the remaining permits in order to allow for the start of construction before year end 2020.  We now expect the majority of the remaining US$1.5 billion of capital spending to occur in 2021, with spending related to early construction preparation in 2020. The company will continue to advance pre-construction activities, to ensure an efficient schedule is maintained.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/mpca-to-conduct-contested-case-hearing-for-line-3-replacement-project-819478203.html