Hearings set on Alberta Clipper oil pipeline

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota regulators are holding hearings across northern Minnesota this week on Enbridge Energy’s proposal to expand the capacity of its Alberta Clipper pipeline.

Following a hearing Tuesday night in Hallock, the Public Utilities Commission has hearings set for Wednesday in Thief River Falls and Cass Lake, and Thursday in Floodwood and Duluth. The hearings will conclude with a final forum April 3 in St. Paul.

The Alberta Clipper pipeline runs from Alberta to northeastern North Dakota, then crosses northern Minnesota on its way to a terminal in Superior, Wis. An administrative law judge is taking testimony on whether the PUC should grant the company’s request to increase the capacity of the pipeline by 40 per cent.

Climate change activists oppose the project because it would carry Canadian tar sands oil.