, ,

Enbridge fails to meet aquifer cleanup deadline in Minnesota

Deadline for cleanup was Oct. 15

By
Enbridge Line 3
Enbridge is replacing its 1960s-era Line 3 pipeline across northern Minnesota, amplifying protests in the region. Photo courtesy of Enbridge

Enbridge has failed to meet a deadline set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for cleaning up a site where an aquifer ruptured during construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline.

The DNR had given the company until Friday to repair the damage to the artesian aquifer near Clearbrook.

Regulators will require compensation for the additional time it takes to stop the groundwater flow.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The Star Tribune reports that regulators are also investigating two other sites where the company may have caused additional groundwater damage.

Enbridge spokeswoman Julie Kellner says the company is “fully cooperating” with the DNR.

Line 3 starts in Alberta, Canada, and clips a corner of North Dakota before crossing Minnesota en route to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wisconsin.

Support your connection to lifelong learning! Give now.