Enbridge Line 3 replacement approved in US
US government finally approves project after Canadian segment is complete
November 23, 2020, 7:02 pm
On November 23, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced approvals of federal permits for Enbridge's Line 3 project through Minnesota, including the Section 404, Section 10 and Section 408 permits.
The Line 3 replacement has been completed in Canada, including work in southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba from 2018 to 2020.
However there have been repeated delays in receiving all the approvals in the United States, with the result that the US leg of the pipeline is finally getting approval after the Canadian leg has been completed.
"We have now received all federal permits required for replacing Line 3, an essential maintenance project that will better protect Minnesota communities and the environment," said Leo Golden Vice President of Line 3 Execution.
"These permits reflect yet another science-based approval for the project, which now moves closer to the start of construction, hopefully before the end of the year. Final state permits and authorizations are still needed before work can begin."
The US Army Corps of Engineers review process was very thorough and included robust public participation, including consultation with 30 participating tribes.
One key permitting input was the Tribal Cultural Resource Survey of the entire route of Line 3 which was managed by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
The survey was the longest and most extensive of its kind for an energy project.
The multibillion-dollar Line 3 Replacement Program is the largest project in Enbridge history.
The new Line 3 will comprise the newest and most advanced pipeline technology—and provide much needed incremental capacity to support Canadian crude oil production growth, and U.S. and Canadian refinery demand..
The Line 3 Replacement Program, with a C$5.3-billion Canadian component and a US$2.9-billion American component, expands on the former Line 3 Segment Replacement Program, and will include all remaining segments of Line 3 between Hardisty, Alberta and Superior, Wisconsin.
All told, the Line 3 Replacement Program will fully replace 1,031 miles (1,660 kilometres) of Line 3 with new pipeline and associated facilities on either side of the Canada-U.S. international border.
