Enbridge updates Commissioners and Interim Engineer position extended for additional 90 days

The Commissioners met on October 23rd for their regular meeting. 

Jennifer Maleitzke, Public Affairs Consultant came before the board to update them on the Line 3 project.

Maleitzke started by Thank ing Red Lake County: It’s been a long road – Enbridge started first regulatory paperwork to replace Line 3 in October 2014. Enbridge thanks Red Lake County for its past and ongoing support for the project; for resolutions of support, attending meetings, etc.

She went on to highlight things in her report.

• Permitting process: There’s still a number of outstanding permits Enbridge needs to secure before construction can begin, including a final route permit from the Public Utilities Commission; a handout was passed out with more information. Other statewide permits include: DNR, MPCA, DOT, as well as federal permits – BIA, USFWS, USACE.  

• Conditions: Part of the final permitting process includes a variety of conditions that will be added to the permits; this is a typical part of the process. Includes such things as landowner choice, public safety, deactivation trust.

• Construction timing: Pending permits, Enbridge will begin construction mobilization and construction spring 2019, with summer and fall being very busy. Enbridge Spread Manager Dave Hodek talked about 500-600 workers per spread (there are 5 spreads); Red Lake County is in spread 1, which is from Pembina County, ND to Gully, MN. Construction crews will need places to stay, a discussion included possible campgrounds and other housing opportunities.

• Pump station construction: Red Lake County will get a new pump station in Plummer – next to existing Line 3 station, on south side of County Road 1. There will be a lot of activity around pump station construction with extra construction workers.

•Tax lawsuit: MN Supreme Court reviewing tax court decision for 2012-2014, decision expected around end of  year or early 2019; tax case for years 2015-2016 going to trial later this year; Enbridge appealing year 2017; Enbridge and other utilities contracted with the MN Center for Fiscal Excellence to conduct a report on MN Department of Revenue lawsuits about valuation, report expected out in December 2018.

•Protestors / working with law enforcement: Enbridge preference is always to seek to resolve differences of opinion through dialogue - peacefully and respectfully.  The company does not tolerate trespassing, vandalism, or mischief, and Enbridge will seek to prosecute those involved to the fullest extent of the law. Enbridge will be coordinating with law enforcement as each county requests.

• Valve case in Bagley: Two years after a coordinated effort by American climate activists who tampered with five pipelines in four states, including two Enbridge pipelines, the last of the valve turners were in court this week in Bagley, Minnesota. A Clearwater County judge dismissed all charges. Enbridge maintains that the actions taken by individuals in 2016 to trespass on our facility and attempt to tamper with energy infrastructure were reckless and dangerous. The individuals involved in these activities claimed to be protecting the environment, but they did the opposite and put the environment and the safety of people at risk -- including themselves, first responders and neighboring communities and landowners.  

Other business for the commissioners was to extend the contract with Norman for the Interim Engineer Jerilyn Swenson.  The current agreement is done November 15th but the language in the agreement allows Red Lake County to request from a 30 up to a 90 day extension to the current agreement.  So Weiss moved & second by Simpson to request from Norman County an additional 90 day extension.

The minutes were approved, committee reports were given and the expenditures were approved.

Angie Lundeen from, Human Resourse, reported that Gallagher quote was from $36,000 to $48,500 where Bjorklund was $15,450 so the board approved the Bjorklund comp study because the study method they use is more like our current system that is in place here already.