By Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, July 30, 2015
Minnesota communities along the route of the proposed Enbridge Energy oil pipeline will have an opportunity to weigh in on the debate during a series of public meetings that are being held this month. The public meetings will be held Aug.11 through Aug. 26. Band members are strongly encouraged to attend the meetings.
Enbridge is required to obtain a route permit and certificate of need from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The public meetings are a step in the state review, providing an opportunity for the public to share their views on the project.
Band members and others are welcome to share their concerns, suggestions, alternatives, or revisions regarding the proposed route. Written comments will be accepted through September 30; see below for instructions on submitting feedback.
The Calgary-based Enbridge Energy has proposed a $7.5 billion pipeline project, including a 337-mile segment through Minnesota. The 36-inch diameter pipeline would stretch from Alberta, Canada to an Enbridge terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. North Dakota has approved its half of the 610-mile pipeline. Enbridge hopes the pipeline will be under construction in 2016 and finished the following year.
Meeting Information
- Each meeting begins on time.
- Attendees should arrive early to sign in, pick up materials, and find a seat.
- The meetings are led by state agency staff members.
- Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, and Enbridge staff will be available to answer questions about the permitting process and the project.
- Both written and verbal comments will be added to the record.
The Department of Commerce will use meeting comments and those offered during the comment period to develop the environmental analysis for this project. - 11 a.m. Meeting Agenda
- 11 to 11:30 a.m. Formal presentations:
- Public Utilities Commission
Enbridge Energy
Department of Commerce
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Citizen Comments
12:30 to 12:45 p.m. Break
12:45 to 2:00 p.m. Citizen Comments
2 p.m. Meeting Adjourns
6 p.m. Meeting Agenda
6 to 6:30 p.m. Formal presentations:
Public Utilities Commission
Enbridge
Department of Commerce
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Citizen Comments
7:30 to 7:45 p.m. Break
7:45 to 9 p.m. Citizen Comments
9 p.m. Meeting Adjourns
Meeting Times and Locations
11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11
Hallock City Hall – Upstairs Auditorium
163 3rd Street SE., Hallock, MN 56728
6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11
Newfolden Community Center
145 E 1st Street, Newfolden, MN 56738
6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12
Ralph Engelstad Arena – Imperial Room
525 Brooks Avenue, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13
Plummer Senior Citizen Center
185 Minnesota Street S., Plummer, MN 56748
6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13
Gully Community Center
120 S Main St, Gully, MN 56646
6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17
Clear Waters Life Center – Gymnasium
256 2nd Avenue SW, Clearbrook, MN 56634
6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18
Rice Lake Community Center – Gymnasium
13830 Community Loop, Bagley, MN 56621
11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19
Park Rapids Century School – Cafetorium
501 Helten Avenue, Park Rapids, MN 56470
6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug.19
Park Rapids Century School – Cafetorium
501 Helten Avenue, Park Rapids, MN 56470
6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24
Pine River-Backus High School – Commons
810 1st Street N., Pine River, MN 56474
11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25
McGregor High School – Gymnasium
148 S 2nd St., McGregor, MN 55760
6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25
McGregor High School – Gymnasium
148 S 2nd St., McGregor, MN 55760
11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26
Carlton County Transportation Department
1630 County Road 61, Carlton, MN 55718
6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26
Carlton County Transportation Department
1630 County Road 61, Carlton, MN 55718
Bad weather? Find out if a meeting is canceled. Call (toll-free) 1-855-731-6208 or 651-201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Comments accepted through September 30, 2015
Refer to PUC Docket Numbers: PL-9/CN-14-916 (Certificate of Need) / PL-9/PPL-15-137 (Route Permit)
Online: mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/#comment
Email: jamie.macalister@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail:
Jamie MacAlister, Environmental Review Manager
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101
Fax: 651-539-0109
Important: Comments will be made available to the public via the Public Utilities Commission’s and the Department of Commerce’s websites, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Personally identifying information is not edited or deleted from submissions.
Project Contacts
Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor: Tracy Smetana at consumer.puc@state.mn.us, 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782
Public Utilities Commission Energy Facilities Planner: Scott Ek at scott.ek@state.mn.us or 651-201-2255
Department of Commerce Environmental Review Manager: Jamie MacAlister at jamie.macalister@state.mn.us 651-539-1775 or 1-800-657-3794
Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership Project Contact: Lorraine Little at Line3ReplacementProject@enbridge.com or 1-855-788-7812