Writer supports building Enbridge pipeline

When the snow melts and the ground begins to thaw, Minnesotans know what comes next: construction season. But for the Line 3 pipeline replacement project, things look a bit different.

Line 3 has been under construction since December and work is more than half done on this project that will increase the capacity and safety of the pipeline. The project will now go into a two-month planned hiatus to ensure they do not damage the ground or roads during the spring thaw. While this pause happens, I thought it was important to look at the numerous benefits we are already seeing from the Line 3 pipeline project.

First, Enbridge has invested more than $3 billion and has hired more than 5,000 pipeline workers who have been on the job for the past four months. Once completed, the property tax that Minnesota receives from this pipeline is projected to more than double to over $60 million annually. Because of their investment into communities across the state, more folks are back to work after a long 2020 that cut workers hours or eliminated them completely.

But, if you dial things in and look at local communities, the results are already being seen and felt. Since construction started, towns along the pipeline route have been overjoyed at the increase of traffic from pipeline workers. Usually empty in the winter, motel rooms are being rented, gas and food are being purchased and we expect when the seasonal camping grounds are open, they will also see pipeline workers business.

Despite the numerous benefits this project has created, pipeline opponents are continuing to hold marches, block traffic and require intense police and first responder assistance. As this brief, planned pause moves forward, I expect pipeline opponents will ramp up their efforts to disrupt construction and halt this project even further. But do not listen. This project is over halfway done, and we need to support the Line 3 replacement project as construction resumes in about two months.

Kathy Galliger, City of
Aitkin Council Member
Aitkin, Minnesota