The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properly evaluated the Minnesota segment of Enbridge Inc.’s $8.2-billion Line 3 oil pipeline replacement and expansion project when issuing federal permits for the now operating line, a federal district court judge has ruled—in what a ppears to be the last of numerous opponent lawsuits filed against the controversial line.
“It was a solid decision. The court looked at the Corps’ legal limits under existing law,” Larry Liebesman, an advisor at regulatory consultant Dawson & Associates, told ENR. The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Honor the Earth and Sierra Club had challenged federal permits under the NEPA law, the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act in the latest suit.