3*
93?

?jun" 
Quintet

August 23, 2016

Assistant Attorney General
Environment and Natural Resources Division
U.S. Department of Justice

RE: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Comment on Consent Decree,
United States v. Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, et 
DJ. Ref. No. 90-5-1-1?10099

Assistant Attorney General:

I am submitting this public comment on behalf of the Minnesota Public Utilities
Commission (Commission), which is in the process of reviewing the applications of Enbridge
Energy, Limited Partnership (Enbridge) for a certi?cate of need and a route permit for its
proposed new Line 3 Pipeline (New Line 3). New Line 3 involves the installation of 337 miles
of 36-inch diameter pipe, and associated facilities, which would extend from the North Dakota-
Minnesota border to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Enbridge proposes the retirement of its
existing Line 3 (Existing Line 3) upon the installation of New Line 3.

Under Minnesota law, the Commission determines whether the construction of a pipeline
of the type and size proposed by Enbridge is necessary, and if so, what the route for such a
pipeline should be. The Commission has determined that Enbridge?s need and route permit
applications are substantially complete, and has referred both applications to the Of?ce of
Administrative Hearings for joint contested case proceedings that will develop the evidentiary
record on the need and route for New Line 3. These proceedings will consider, among other
things, the anticipated environmental impacts of New Line 3 as set forth in the Environmental
Impact Statement that is currently being developed for the project.

The Commission notes that the Consent Decree imposes certain obligations on
Enbridge?s operation of Existing Line 3 if it is not removed by December 31, 2017. See Consent
Decree at 11 22.d. The Commission cannot at this time estimate when the need and route permit
proceedings for New Line 3 will be completed, nor can it say whether Enbridge?s need and route
applications for the construction of New Line 3 will be approved, modi?ed, or rejected.

Sincerely,
. .- 

Daniel P. Wolf
Executive Secretary

PHONE (651) 296-7124 FAX (651) 297?7073 TDD (651) 297?1200 121 7th PLACE EAST SUITE 350 SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101-2147