Protesters Disrupt Construction Of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 Project

Around 10 protesters halted construction on a 12-mile segment of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 replacement project in Superior on Wednesday.

Enbridge Energy’s aging Line 3 pipeline carries up to 390,000 barrels of oil per day to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior. Enbridge has said they’re replacing the line to improve safety and nearly double its capacity.

Superior Assistant Police Chief Matt Markon said they received a call early Wednesday morning about protesters at Enbridge’s construction site.

“The reports that I’ve heard indicate that two men had chained themselves, I believe, together inside of a pipe that was laying on the ground,” he said. “The pipe itself was large enough to actually climb inside.”

Markon said a Chicago woman was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest, but he said there were no injuries or damages to the pipeline.

Enbridge spokeswoman Jennifer Smith said the protest had little impact on construction.

“We have a crew there. They were halted for a minimal amount of time and once the area was clear they went back to work,” she said.

Smith said they continue to pursue peaceful dialogue with protesters to resolve differences.

“At the same time, we really can’t tolerate trespassing, vandalism, or unlawful actions that put people and the environment in harm’s way,” she said.

Smith said the pipeline supplies 100 percent of the crude oil to Superior’s refinery and 80 percent of oil transported to Minnesota refineries.

Construction on the Wisconsin side of the project is expected to wrap up by December.