Negligent MN PUC gives Enbridge an OK

By no possible stretch of the imagination is Enbridge's proposal a) safe; b) needed; or c) anything other than a "public bad" in any way, shape, or form. And this doesn't make it a done deal.

Months after a court decision threw its future into question, the Line 3 pipeline replacement project is moving closer to regaining the permits it needs to begin construction.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted 3 to 1 Monday on three key approvals for the project: a revised environmental review, a certificate of need and a route permit...

Paul Blackburn, an attorney representing Honor the Earth and the Sierra Club in the case, suggested that the groups he represents — and others — will again challenge the environmental statement at the Minnesota Court of Appeals if the PUC fails to broaden its analysis of the impacts of a potential spill on Lake Superior. - MPR

Why doesn't Enbridge just give up on Line 3?

Because they make a great deal of money moving filthy, climate wrecking tar sands/shale oil around, that’s why. Nothing more, nothing less. Anyway, from a couple of weeks ago:

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's administration on (Dec. 21) appealed a state regulatory panel's approval of Enbridge Energy's plan to replace its aging Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce said the Public Utilities Commission got its decisions wrong because Enbridge did not introduce, and the panel did not properly evaluate, the kind of long-range oil demand forecast required by state law.

Dayton, who leaves office Jan. 7, said in a statement that he strongly supports the appeal. He said Enbridge "failed to demonstrate that Minnesota needs this pipeline to meet our future oil demand. In fact, most of the product would flow through our state to supply other states and countries." - MPR

But, as for Gov-elect Tim Walz (DFL):

Walz has said Line 3 should go forward if it can meet environmental regulations. - MinnPost 

You should click and read that article, which is mostly about who Walz might pick for an open spot on the PUC. So, we’ll see.