Enbridge Energy's pathway for a new pipeline to replace its aging "Line 3" across northern Minnesota would likely cause more wildlife habitat loss and have more impact on wild rice lakes than any of four alternative routes being looked at by state regulators.
But impacts on fish and wildlife would vary only slightly between the routes. And environmental and cultural resources would be hurt less by a spill on Enbridge's proposed new Line 3 route than in a spill on two alternative routes that run parallel to the current Line 3, according to a state environmental assessment released Monday.
The report is a big development in Enbridge's 2 ½-year quest to replace a corroding, 1960s-vintage pipeline. The company wants to build a 337-mile pipeline that would follow Line 3's current route to Clearbrook, but would then jog toward Park Rapids through an area known for pristine waters and wild rice lakes.
The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) released Monday by the Minnesota Department of Commerce offers comparisons between alternative pipeline routes, but makes no recommendations on the $2.1 billion project. The report opens a public comment period through July 10, which will include 22 public meetings in counties that could be home to a new Line 3. A final EIS will then be issued.
"Enbridge looks forward to the next step for this important system modernization project and advancing the regulatory process," John Swanson, Enbridge's vice president of major projects, said in a statement.
Along with the final EIS, an administrative law judge will vet the positions of Line 3 opponents and proponents and produce a critical report. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will then decide on the pipeline's fate, probably in mid- to late 2018.
If the new Line 3 is approved, Enbridge expects to start construction by late 2018, with an anticipated completion date in the latter part of 2019.
Environmental and American Indian groups have opposed the new Line 3, while Calgary-based Enbridge says it's needed to replace a pipeline that requires extensive maintenance and is limited to running at only 51 percent of capacity. The pipeline carries crude oil from Alberta to an Enbridge terminal in Superior, Wis., and points beyond.