Court sides with Enbridge on line

The Minnesota Supreme Court has declined to take up challenges by tribal and conservation groups to the environmental review of Enbridge Energy’s proposal for replacing its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline in Minnesota.

The decision means that Minnesota regulators can begin the process of fixing the environmental review of Enbridge Energy’s controversial proposed $2.9 billion project.

The project could have faced a long delay if the high court had agreed to hear the appeals.

It’s unclear exactly when construction of the pipeline could begin. The project needs several environmental permits, as well as final approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which likely will spur additional lawsuits.