 Minnesota regulators today approved Enbridge Energy's proposal to replace its aging line three oil pipeline across the northern part of the state. Even though a major question remains unresolved, the line's route. All five members of the Public Utilities Commission backed the project, though some cited heavy trepidation. An open discussion before the vote several cited the deteriorating condition of the existing line, which was built in the 1960s as a major factor. The pipeline currently runs from Alberta, Canada, across North Dakota and Minnesota to Enbridge's terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. Enbridge has said it would continue to run line three if Minnesota regulators rejected its proposal despite its accelerating maintenance needs. The current pipeline crosses two Native American reservations whose tribes strongly opposed the project. Enbridge has proposed a route that bypasses those reservations, but the tribes and climate change activists opposed that route too. Now Enbridge officials say they are pleased with the decision. Al Monaco, the president and CEO of Enbridge said in a statement, they believe the route protects the environment and has overwhelming support of communities. Now before the decision was announced today, those in favor of the pipeline and those against it gathered outside the Public Utilities Commission. After the decision was announced, opponents of the plan promised this is not the end of their fight. What they have done to us today is egregious. It is egregious what they have done not only to the Ojibwe people, but to the people of Minnesota. They have taken our sandy lake, which is the equivalent of the wounded knee massacre of Minnesota, and said we will lay pipe across it, and that is what we will do. And for five years we have tried to make the system work, but Minnesota and Enbridge have asked us if this is going to be like Standing Rock, and they have gotten their Standing Rock. Governor Dayton released a statement urging everyone to express themselves peacefully. Dayton said the PUC's decision is not the final approval of the pipeline. He says it only allows Enbridge to begin to apply for at least 29 required federal, state and local permits. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.