For decades, Line 3 has helped safely move oil and petroleum products from Canada to refiner - ies in Minnesota and other markets in the US and eastern Canada. Northern Minnesota for about 540 kilometres is the final leg of the Line 3 project’s 1,600-kilo - metre route from Hardisty, Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin. The project is replacing the existing pipeline that was built in the 1960s with a new, larger and stronger pipeline that incorporates advanced technologies to improve safety and environmental protection. Overall US imports of Canadian crude oil and petroleum products continue to increase despite the surge in US oil production over the last decade, reaching a record 4.8 million barrels per day December 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnesota has no domestic oil production – its two refineries are primarily served by Enbridge pipelines. Over 98 per cent of Minnesota private land- owners along the Line 3 replacement route have signed easements allowing the project to proceed, Enbridge says. “If Line 3 is not replaced, more oil goes on train cars that are not as safe,” says Minnesotans for Line 3. “If the project were to be stopped, thousands of workers would lose their jobs and communi- ties who need economic support would lose the new customers and spending Line 3 is bringing to Minnesota.” The project is approximately 32 per cent complete, Enbridge says. It is expected to go into service before the end of 2021.
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MARCH 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH 2021
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