Decision Time is Near, and for Angie Craig it’s Here

Jun 18, 2018

Eagan, MN - Jason Lewis for Congress Campaign Manager Becky Alery released the following statement:

“Today, Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission’s oral arguments have started in order to determine whether or not a replacement for Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline is necessary, with a decision expected later this month. While we wait, it seems like a great time to get a decision from Angie Craig as to where she stands on this issue.

“Congressman Jason Lewis has been extremely vocal on his support for this project that is crucial for Minnesota and the Second District.

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“Angie Craig, on the other hand, is trying to dance around the topic, claiming her support for labor without actually supporting one of the largest labor projects in Minnesota.

“Even two and a half months after we first encouraged her to join Lewis in his support for Enbridge, she has yet to utter a word on the topic.

“Now, you may be wondering why a pipeline in the Northern part of Minnesota is important to Minnesota’s Second District? Well, just pick one of the many reasons:

  • Minnesota’s largest refinery, Pine Bend, located in Rosemount, MN depends on the Enbridge pipeline system which provides all of the oil for the refinery.
  • Pine Bend refinery has a dedicated pipeline to Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, providing the majority of the jet fuel for the international airport.
  • Replacing the Enbridge Pipeline means more than 8,000 jobs here in Minnesota. Not only will the project create thousands of jobs, but it will protect thousands more – especially those right here in Minnesota’s Second District.
  • Additionally, this project will bring $19 million in additional tax revenue and more than $2 billion in private investment to the state. At Pine Bend, Flint Hill’s $600 million in investments is at risk without the additional crude oil from the updated Enbridge Pipeline.

“I am sympathetic of Craig’s tough choice between her extreme environmentalist friends or the hard-working, blue-collar labor folks she claims to support, but being in Congress is full of tough choices. And, this is not a partisan issue – in fact, just last week, Lewis joined Reps. Nolan, Peterson and Emmer in an op-ed to highlight the support across party lines and across the state.

“If there is one general theme from voters on both sides of the aisle this cycle, it is ‘we want answers.’ The time has come for Angie Craig to tell the voters whether she supports a project that will impact thousands of jobs and millions of new investments in Minnesota’s Second District or not.

“If Craig supports labor as much as she claims she does, it shouldn’t be that tough of a decision. Team Lewis would welcome her support of Enbridge or at the very least, an acknowledgment of her opposition to an important project affecting our state and this district.”

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