MINNESOTA AG/ENERGY ALLIANCE ENCOURAGED BY JUDGE’S POSITIVE RULING ON SANDPIPER LINE, ENCOURAGES PUC TO QUICKLY FOLLOW SUIT
Organization of the State’s leading business and agricultural associations has long supported Sandpiper, which is the safest and most efficient way to transport North Dakota Crude Oil.
The Minnesota Ag/Energy Alliance, a coalition comprised of some of the State’s leading business and agriculture organizations which formed as a result of their shared objective to permit the proposed Sandpiper pipeline, is encouraged by the 104-page ruling issued by Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman yesterday.
“The Judge’s ruling expressly acknowledges the need for this critical project and at this time,” said Mike Franklin, a spokesman for the organization.
Franklin continued “Sandpiper has incredible support from agriculture, labor, business, local government, and many other groups, who have stood together to support this common sense proposal.”
Yesterday’s decision is a formal recommendation to the Public Utilities Commission, which is not bound by the Judge’s decision but has not often diverged from previous ALJ recommendations.
The Ag/Energy Alliance will continue to organize its coalition and hopes to achieve its ultimate objective – endorsement by the PUC, along with a route permit, as soon as possible.
The organization believes that the process has not been as efficient as possible thus far. However, with the Judge’s ruling, the PUC has a fantastic roadmap from which to base its approval in a timely, efficient fashion.
The Minnesota Agriculture & Energy Alliance is a partnership between citizens, government, non-profit organizations and private companies working to support Minnesota’s farmers and agri-business, rural retailers and other small businesses.
We want to improve life in our state, and so we support projects that make Minnesota better – and a better place to live and work.
Contact:
Mike Franklin
(612) 578-5372
mike@weberjohnsonpa.com