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Line 3 Pipeline Replacement

Project Docket Details

Docket No PPL-15-137
Project name Line 3 Pipeline Replacement
Applicant Enbridge, LLP
Description Enbridge Energy proposes to replace 337 miles of the Line 3 Pipeline in Minnesota. Line 3 originates in Canada, continues through North Dakota, enters Minnesota in Kittson County, and terminates in Superior, Wiscsonsin.
Location Aitkin County, Carlton County, Cass County, Clearwater County, Crow Wing County, Hubbard County, Kittson County, Marshall County, Pennington County, Polk County, Red Lake County, Wadena County
Contact Sam Weaver
sam.weaver@state.mn.us
(651) 539-1531
Status
  • 2015-07-01: Application accepted
  • 2016-04-25: Public meeting
  • 2016-12-05: Scoping decision
  • 2017-05-15: Draft EIS available
  • 2017-09-26: Public hearing
  • 2018-02-02: Final EIS available
  • 2018-04-24: ALJ report issued
  • 2018-10-26: Permit issued
  • : Project built
  • Upcoming: Docket closed

Project Summary

Enbridge Energy (Enbridge) proposed to construct a new oil pipeline in Minnesota to replace its existing Line 3 pipeline. Enbridge stated that the purpose of the project is to address pipeline integrity and safety concerns related to the existing Line 3 and to restore the throughput of the line to its original operating capacity of 760,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Enbridge applied for a certificate of need (CN) and a route permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) in April 2015. The Minnesota Department of Commerce, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project. The final EIS was issued in February 2018. Following public hearings and a report from an administrative law judge, the Commission issued a certificate of need and a route permit for the project in the fall of 2018.   

In June 2019, the Minnesota Court of Appeals found the final EIS for the project to be inadequate.  The Deparment of Commerce subsequently revised the final EIS.  On May 1, 2020, the Commission found the final EIS adequate and reissued the certificate of need and route permit for the project.  On December 1, 2020, Enbridge started construction of the project.  Enbridge anticipates that it will take 6 to 9 months to construct the project.

Latest News

This map depicts the pipeline alternatives being evaluated in the environmental impact statement for the Line 3 project. Users can move to different parts of the map by clicking and dragging the cursor to a new location. Users can zoom in and out using the scroll wheel of their mouse or by clicking on the plus or minus buttons is the viewer toolbox.

The map includes several data layers depicting resources that could be impacted by the project. These data layers can be turned on and off by clicking the box next the data layer name. The data layers extend for 10 miles on either side of an alternative. Some layers are visible at a small map scale (zoomed out). Other map layers are only visible at a large map scale (zoomed in). If you click to view a data layer and do not see the layer depicted, zoom in or out until it appears.

Key Project Documents

Date Title Description
09/08/2022 Existing Line 3 Landowner Choice Program The Landowner Choice Program allows landowners along the existing Line 3 pipeline to choose either pipeline removal or decommissioning in place. EERA staff serves as an independent liaison to ensure that program requirements are met, and landowners have access to an independent engineer at the company's expense.
05/01/2020 Commission Order Finding Second, Revised Final EIS Adequate and Reissuing a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for the Line 3 Project The Commission's order finding the second, revised final environmental impact statement (EIS) adequate and reissuing a certificate of need and route permit for the Line 3 project. Includes Commission order and reissued orders from 2018 and 2019.
12/09/2019 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Line 3 Pipeline Project - Second Revision The second revised final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Line 3 pipeline project. This second revision addresses the Commission's order to analyze a potential oil spill from the pipeline into the Lake Superior watershed.
10/08/2019 Commission Order Requesting Revision of Final EIS Commission order finding the final EIS inadequate and requesting the Department of Commerce to revise the EIS to include analysis of a potential oil spill into the Lake Superior watershed.
01/23/2019 Commission Order Approving Modifications to Certificate of Need for the Line 3 Project The Commission's order approving modifications to the certificate of need for the Line 3 project. The order addresses five modifications: parental guaranty, landowner choice program for pipeline removal, decommissioning trust fund, neutral footprint program, and liability insurance.
10/26/2018 Commission Order Granting a Pipeline Routing Permit for the Line 3 Project The Commission's order granting a pipeline routing permit for the Line 3 project. Includes order, routing permit, and maps.
09/05/2018 Comission Order Granting a Certificate of Need for the LIne 3 Project with Modifications and Requiring Additional Filings The Commission's order granting a certificate of need for the Line 3 project. The order requires additional filings which must be approved by the Commission.
02/12/2018 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Line 3 Pipeline Project - Revised The revised final EIS for the Line 3 pipeline project issued by the Deparment of Commerce
04/24/2015 Certificate of Need Application -- Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Project Enbridge Energy is proposing to construct a new 337-mile long oil pipeline to replace an existing pipeline, Line 3, in Minnesota
04/23/2015 Route Permit Application -- Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Project Enbridge Energy proposes to replace 337 miles of existing Line 3 Pipeline and associated facilities between the Norht Dakota/Minnesota border and the Minnesota/Wisconsin border.

Environmental Review and Permitting Process

Enbridge's proposed Line 3 replacement project requires two approvals from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) - a certificate of need (CN) and a route permit. Enbridge applied to the Commission for these approvals in April 2015.

The Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requires that an environmental impact statement (EIS) be prepared for major governmental actions that have the potential for creating significant environmental impacts. To fulfill its MEPA responsibilities, the Commission has authorized the preparation of an EIS that addresses Enbridge's CN and route permit applications. The Commission has authorized Commerce's Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) staff to prepare the EIS, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The EIS will be issued in draft form, a draft EIS, so that it can be improved through public comment. A final EIS will be developed based on comments received on the draft EIS. Upon completion of the final EIS, public hearings will be held in the project area. The hearings will be presided over by an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the Office of Administrative Hearings. The hearings will address Enbridge's CN and route permit applications. At the public hearings, citizens will have an opportunity to submit comments, present evidence, and ask questions. After completion of the hearings, the ALJ will submit a report to the Commission with findings of facts, conclusions of law, and recommendations regarding a CN and route permit for the project. Decisions by the Commission on Enbridge's CN and route permit applications are anticipated in the spring of 2018. Click here for an environmental review and permitting flowchart.

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Questions Asked and Answered

During the environmental review and hearing processes for the Line 3 project, the Department of Commerce and other agencies may receive questions from citizens, local governments, and tribes about the project. Twice a month we'll summarize here the questions that we've received and the answers that we've provided. Hopefully, these questions and answers will be helpful to all persons participating in the state's environmental review and hearing processes for the Line 3 project.

If you have a question about the Line 3 project or the state's environmental review and hearing processes for the Line 3 project, please contact us. Scroll down to the "Participate" section on this webpage and you'll find phone and email contacts for Department of Commerce and Commission staff.

  • January 9, 2017. Topics: maps; schedule; viewing testimony
  • January 23, 2017. Topics: SA-04; changes in oil blends; the social cost of carbon
  • February 6, 2017. Topics: decommissioning in-place of existing Line 3; Canadian National Energy Board report
  • February 20, 2017. Topics: U.S. State Department draft supplemental EIS for Line 67
  • April 10, 2017. Topics: Draft EIS issuance date; participating in public hearings
  • May 30, 2017. Topics: Draft EIS at libraries; public meeting format; Draft EIS comments
  • June 26, 2017. Topics: Availability of Draft EIS comments
  • September 12, 2017. Topics: Final EIS and Public Hearing Comment Periods

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Participate

Sign up for the project mailing list to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate (meetings, comment periods, etc.).  Contact docketing.puc@state.mn.us, 651-201-2204, or 1-800-657-3782 with the project's docket number(s), your name, mailing address, and email address.  The Line 3 project has two docket numbers.  The docket number for Enbridge's certificate of need application is 14-916.  The docket number for Enbridge's route permit application is 15-137.

To review all documents filed with the Commission regarding the Line 3 project, go to: http://www.mn.gov/puc/, click on "Search Documents, eDockets," and enter the docket number.  The Line 3 project has two docket numbers.  The docket number for Enbridge's certificate of need application is 14-916.  The docket number for Enbridge's route permit application is 15-137.

To receive an email every time a document is filed with the Commission regarding the Line 3 project, create a subscription with the Commission's electronic docketing system (eDockets).  Go to: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/subscription/createSubscription.do?method=subscribeNew and follow the instructions. 

If you have questions or need more information please contact:

Minnesota Department of Commerce (Environmental Review)

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Permitting and Commission Process)

Enbridge Energy (Line 3 Project)

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Project Documents