We should know later this morning (9am or after) whether Governor Tim Walz will continue his predecessor Mark Dayton’s legal challenge to the controversial Enbridge Line 3 pipeline upgrade in northern Minnesota. A ruling by the State Court of Appeals set the deadline for today for the governor to decide whether he’ll ask the Public Utilities Commission to reconsider its earlier order allowing the Line 3 project to move forward. Even if Walz asks and the P-U-C says “no,” he would then have the option to go to court as former Governor Dayton did. Walz wouldn’t comment yesterday on what he might do, saying only, “We’re still doing what we’ve always pledged, is we’re working with stakeholders and making sure that we’re setting down with them individually.”
Opponents warn a leak on Line 3 could seriously damage lakes and groundwater in northern Minnesota. Backers respond the project has had rigorous environmental review and will bring badly-needed jobs to that area of the state.