The Line 3 crude oil pipeline was laid between Canada and the US in the 1960s. Credit: CNW Group/Enbridge Inc.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals in the US has affirmed the state regulator’s key permitting approvals for Enbridge’s $6.9bn Line 3 Replacement Project (L3RP).

The project, which has been facing fierce opposition from indigenous and environmental groups, involves the full replacement of the 34-inch 1,765km long Line 3 crude oil pipeline laid between Canada and the US in the 1960s with a new 36in pipe.

The ruling by a three-judge panel affirms that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission appropriately approved the environmental impact statement (EIS), certificate of need, and route permit for the Minnesota segment of the L3RP.

Furthermore, the court said that concerns about potential oil spills impacts on the Lake Superior watershed, have been addressed by the commission.

Enbridge executive vice-president and liquids pipelines president Vern Yu said: “After six years of community engagement, environmental review, regulatory and legal review, it’s good to see confirmation of previous decisions on the Line 3 Replacement Project.

“From the start, the project has been about improving safety and reliability for communities and protecting the environment.”

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The court ruling follows protests launched by activists last week at the pipeline construction sites near the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Environmental activists, who are considering an appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court over the project construction, are urging US President Joe Biden to cancel the project.

The replacement project is completed in Canada, as well as in Wisconsin and North Dakota. Work is more than 60% complete in Minnesota.

The project is scheduled to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2021.