tar-sands

November 12, 2020

Today, ignoring evidence about the serious threat Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands pipeline would pose to Minnesota’s clean water, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner Laura Bishop approved a water crossing permit allowing the pipeline to be constructed through hundreds of Minnesota waterways.

October 16, 2020

Today, ignoring evidence about the serious threat Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands pipeline would pose to Minnesota’s clean water, an administrative law judge issued a determination downplaying the impact of the pipeline on waterways along its route. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner Laura Bishop is expected to make a decision on a water crossing permit for the pipeline by November 14.

September 11, 2020

St. Paul, MN -- Today, Republicans in the Minnesota Senate voted to fire Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley in retaliation for doing his job and carrying out the mission of the Department of Commerce, which is charged with protecting the public interest and strengthening Minnesota’s economic future. 

August 19, 2020

The Sierra Club applauds the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Governor Tim Walz for their decision to continue their appeal of the Certificate of Need for Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands pipeline.

August 18, 2020

Opponents of Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 pipeline filed a lawsuit with the Court of Appeals today challenging the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) approval of permits for the project.

July 30, 2020

The Trump administration issued a new permit yesterday that would allow the Keystone pipeline -- part of the pipeline system that would include the controversial proposed Keystone XL -- to increase capacity by 170,000 barrels of oil per day.

July 27, 2020

An audit of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s public participation process, released today by the Office of the Legislative Auditor, found that the PUC mishandled public hearings on Enbridge’s controversial Line 3 tar sands pipeline.

May 28, 2020

Ninth Circuit Rejects Push from Trump Admin, Industry to Allow Construction of Keystone XL and Other Oil and Gas Pipelines Through Waterways Amid Appeal

May 1, 2020

Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued orders on the controversial Line 3 tar sands pipeline deeming their latest environmental impact statement adequate, despite the fact that it downplayed the risks to Minnesota’s water resources, and reissued the certificate of need and route permit for the pipeline.

April 6, 2020

Montana Governor Steve Bullock is reportedly allowing Canadian pipeline company TC Energy to move forward with construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline in Montana despite concerns about the spread of coronavirus among workers and in vulnerable rural and Tribal communities.

March 31, 2020

Today, TC Energy -- formerly TransCanada -- the company behind the Keystone XL pipeline, announced plans to begin construction on the controversial tar sands pipeline. The announcement came in the wake of a major investment by the Alberta government to prop up the failing tar sands industry. 

March 24, 2020

St. Paul, MN -- Today, in response to calls from local advocates to extend the public comment period on a key water crossing permit for Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 tar sands pipeline, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced an extension of just one week.