 The Minnesota Department of Commerce says Enbridge Energy has failed to establish the need for its proposal to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. Instead, the department says it might be better to just shut down the existing line. It finally is with the Public Utilities Commission Monday. The agency says refineries in the region already have sufficient supplies and little capacity for processing more crude. And it says Minnesota's demand for gasoline appears unlikely to increase over the long term. The decision on granting a certificate of need for the project is up to the PUC, which is independent of Governor Mark Dayton's administration. Now, Dayton praised the work of Commerce Department staffers, but says he'll await more information before expressing personal views on the project. House Speaker Kurt Daut released a statement tonight saying the decision is yet another example of the DFL siding with extreme environmental activists while putting Minnesota's jobs and safety at risk. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.