Line 3 pipeline will help create environmental protections

A few months ago, I wrote a letter clarifying the planned pause on the Line 3 pipeline project and how it was important to protect our roads and environment as we transition from spring to summer. Now, as construction is about to start back up, I wanted to clear up another misconception being spread by pipeline opponents.

These protesters, many who are from out of state, continue to spout off about how the Line 3 pipeline is bad for our environment and that the new pipeline will be responsible for a massive amount of carbon emissions.

Both of these lines are flat out false.

First, under the Obama and Biden Administration, replacing the pipeline that was built more than 60 years ago was deemed necessary because of the risks it poses to our environment if not addressed. The replacement is actually to increase environmental protections across Northern Minnesota.

If we did nothing, as pipeline opponents suggest, that would mean that the pipeline would inevitably crumble at some point. And would mean oil that could be transported by pipeline would instead require use of thousands of trucks and rail cars – both which put off far greater carbon emissions than a pipeline.

Regardless of what pipeline protesters try to say, they are simply ignoring the facts that the Line 3 pipeline project is actually important to protect our environment.

Chuck Novak,
Mayor of Ely, Minnesota