Line 3 Pipeline bill stalls in Senate Committee

By Tim King

On Thursday April 12th Senator Osmek's bill (S.F. 3510) to bypass the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and build a new Line 3 Enbridge oil pipeline stalled in the Committee on Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy when Senator Michael Goggins, a Republican and electrical engineer from Red Wing, decided the cross over the usually wide and deep line separating the Minnesota GOP from the Minnesota DFL.

Alaska pipeline - Wikipedia

Senator Goggins was no doubt swayed by the fact that the Minnesota Department of Commerce has said Line 3 is not necessary. He may have also been swayed by the fact that the Public Utilities Commission is in a far better position to rule on the line then a Senate Committee.

But defying Osmek, who has a history of backing projects favorable to energy companies, took courage. It took courage in part because Osmek is also Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy. But when Senator Osmek moved that S.F. 3510, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration Sen. Goggins voted no along with DFL Senators Hoffman, Marty, Dibble, and Simonsson. Osmek's motion failed on a 5 to 4 vote.

The bill is stalled but Osmek and Enbridge know their legislative game. It could show up around midnight on a day near the end of the session. Activists opposing the bill should remain vigilant.

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