Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the critical need to replace Enbridge's Line 3, an aging pipeline dangerously corroding and operating at only 51 percent. Line 3 pipeline replacement project is on its fourth year of review and has met or exceeded every single required environmental standard. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted to issue its certificate of need last year. The project will create more than 4,000 construction jobs and enjoys the support of construction trade unions throughout the State of Minnesota. The project is supported by dozens of elected officials and thousands of Minnesotans. It will also generate an additional $19 million in property tax revenue, providing a significant funding increase to rural schools. With all this benefit, it was greatly disappointing to hear we would have further delays. Unfortunately, certain State officials in Minnesota feel beholden to, in the words of our operating engineers, ``environmental extremism.'' These environmental extremists are the same folks who vandalized the current pipeline just last week, ironically creating a dangerous situation for themselves and the environment. ____________________”