In response to the COVID-19 guidance, on March 13, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) canceled all in-person public meetings until April 30. This announcement included canceling the three open houses previously scheduled for the Enbridge Line 3 project.
One week public comment extension
The MPCA values robust public input on permitting decisions. The events of the past two weeks require the MPCA to reexamine its current public comment period and how it receives meaningful public comments on the Line 3 draft permits and certification. As a result, the MPCA has decided to extend the current Enbridge Line 3 comment period by one week, with a new deadline of Friday, April 10. The extended comment period will still allow the MPCA to review and respond to all public comments and meet the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s current August 15 deadline.
Three statewide telephone town hall meetings
The MPCA is conducting three, 90-minute statewide telephone town hall meetings. The public can call into the telephone town hall, share a two-minute comment and/or listen to other public comments. The comments will be included in the official public record. The telephone town halls meetings are scheduled on the following dates and times:
- Thursday, April 2, 2020 (2 – 3:30 p.m.)
- Tuesday, April 7 (6:30 – 8 p.m.)
- Thursday, April 9 (10 – 11:30 a.m.)
Additional information on how to call in will be posted at a later date.
Online informational presentation, request for questions
The MPCA will release an informational web presentation on April 1 as a way to share information regarding the draft permits and certification. This is in addition to the materials that have been available online since late February.
If you have a specific question regarding the draft permits or certification, please submit via email to line3.pca@state.mn.us by end of day Sunday, March 29. We may include your question in the presentation.
More information
Additional information on submitting comments using the online forms and mailing instructions are available on the MPCA’s website.
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