Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project Receives MPCA Approvals and Remaining DNR Permits

Rhea-AI Summary

On November 12, 2020, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approved Enbridge's Line 3 project, granting the 401 Water Quality Certification. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also issued eight final permits, marking a significant milestone for the project's construction focused on safety and maintenance. The $2.6 billion project promises 4,200 jobs and economic benefits for local communities, while ensuring minimal environmental impact. However, final permits are still needed before construction begins, with ongoing scrutiny regarding environmental concerns.

Positive

• Approval of 401 Water Quality Certification by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Final eight permits granted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
• Projected creation of 4,200 construction jobs and considerable local economic benefits.
• $2.6 billion private investment aimed at enhancing state infrastructure.

Negative

• Ongoing need for final approvals before construction commencement.
• Potential risks associated with environmental compliance and scrutiny.

CALGARY, AB and DULUTH, MN, Nov 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Today Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced approvals for Enbridge's Line 3 project, including the 401 Water Quality Certification.  Also, today the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released the final eight permits for the project.

"Clearly this is a big day for Line 3 in Minnesota," said Leo Golden Vice President of Line 3 Execution. "These authorizations and approvals are an important step towards construction for this safety and maintenance focused replacement project which comes at an important time for Minnesota." 

This decision from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, including the project's 401 Water Quality Certification clears the way for a determination from the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding federal permits.

The Line 3 project has been designed to avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive streams and wetlands.  Enbridge pipelines have coexisted with the nation's most productive wild rice waters for 70 years.

The authorizations and permits approved today by the Minnesota DNR range from a license for utility crossing of state land and public water, to water appropriation for dust control, hydrostatic testing and horizontal directional drilling.  Enbridge has now received all ten of the DNR permits and authorizations for the safety and maintenance focused Line 3 Replacement Project.  The project still needs final permits and authorizations before construction can begin.  

The thorough, robust, science-based review of the project over the past six years has led to evidence-based approvals. Enbridge recognizes that the permit conditions required by the PCA and DNR are essential for protecting Minnesota's sensitive streams and wild rice waters during construction and planning for post-construction restoration and enhancement.

At Enbridge safety is our top priority.  Enbridge implemented an effective COVID-19 testing and screening program that has proven effective during our recent Line 3 construction in North Dakota.  We will continue to follow the latest guidance provided by local, federal and international public-health and government authorities to protect workers and communities. 

The project will provide significant economic benefits for counties, small businesses, Native American communities, and union members. Line 3 is a shovel-ready, $2.6-billion private investment that will bring 4,200 family-sustaining construction jobs, millions of dollars in local spending and tax revenues at a time when Northern Minnesota needs it most.

Forward Looking Information

Forward-looking information, or forward-looking statements, have been included in this news release to provide information about Enbridge Inc. ("Enbridge" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including management's assessment of Enbridge and its subsidiaries' future plans and operations. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as ''anticipate'', ''expect'', ''project'', ''estimate'', ''forecast'', ''plan'', ''intend'', ''target'', ''believe'', "likely" and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information or statements in this news release include statements with respect to the Line 3 Replacement Project and expected regulatory and permitting actions and decisions, capital expenditures, construction schedules and anticipated economic benefits.

Although Enbridge believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information available on the date such statements are made and processes used to prepare the information, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Assumptions regarding the expected supply of and demand for crude oil, natural gas, NGL and renewable energy, and the prices of these commodities, are material to and underlie all forward-looking statements, as they may impact current and future levels of demand for the Company's services. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic, exchange rates, inflation and interest rates impact the economies and business environments in which the Company operates and may impact levels of demand for the Company's services and cost of inputs and are therefore inherent in all forward-looking statements. Due to the interdependencies and correlation of these macroeconomic factors, the impact of any one assumption on a forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty. The most relevant assumptions associated with forward-looking statements on announced projects and projects under construction such as the Line 3 Replacement Project, including estimated completion dates and expected capital expenditures, include the following: the COVID-19 pandemic and the duration and impact thereof; the impact of customer, government and regulatory approvals on construction and in-service schedules and cost recovery regimes; the availability and price of labour and construction materials; the effects of inflation and foreign exchange rates on labour and material costs; the effects of interest rates on borrowing costs; and the impact of weather.

Enbridge's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those risks and uncertainties discussed in this news release and in the Company's other filings with Canadian and United States securities regulators. The impact of any one risk, uncertainty or factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as these are interdependent and Enbridge's future course of action depends on management's assessment of all information available at the relevant time. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Enbridge assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made in this news release or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Enbridge or persons acting on the Company's behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

About Enbridge Inc.

Enbridge Inc. is a leading North American energy infrastructure company. We safely and reliably deliver the energy people need and want to fuel quality of life. Our core businesses include Liquids Pipelines, which transports approximately 25 percent of the crude oil produced in North America; Gas Transmission and Midstream, which transports approximately 20 percent of the natural gas consumed in the U.S.; and Utilities and Power Operations, which serves approximately 3.7 million retail customers in Ontario and Quebec, and generates approximately 1,750 MW of net renewable power in North America and Europe. The Company's common shares trade on and stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Media

Juli Kellner Toll Free: (888) 992-0997
Email: media@enbridge.com

Investment Community

Jonathan Morgan Toll Free: (800) 481-2804
Email: investor.relations@enbridge.com

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SOURCE Enbridge Inc.

FAQ

What approvals did Enbridge receive for the Line 3 project?

Enbridge received the 401 Water Quality Certification and eight final permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

How many jobs is the Line 3 project expected to create?

The Line 3 project is projected to create 4,200 construction jobs.

What is the investment size for the Line 3 Replacement Project?

The Line 3 Replacement Project represents a private investment of $2.6 billion.

What is the current status of the Line 3 project?

The project has received significant approvals but still requires final permits before construction can begin.

When was the approval for the Line 3 project announced?

The approvals for the Line 3 project were announced on November 12, 2020.