Much of the resistance to the Line 3 project comes from concerns over climate change . Environmental groups such as the North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club , MN350 , and Honor the Earth have anti-Line 3 campaigns . The Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS ) , which was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce , explains how the new Line 3 pipeline would contribute to deforestation , increase risk of pollution to Minnesota 's pristine water ecosystems and wild rice beds , and generate greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change . Since the publication of the EIS , the MN Department of Commerce has formally denounced the proposed Line 3 project on environmental grounds , going so far as to say that they would prefer to see the old pipeline shut down : Many people are concerned about potential oil spills along Line 3 . In recent years , Enbridge has safely transported 99.999 % of oil . However , among other accidental releases , the original Line 3 pipeline was responsible for the largest ever inland oil spill in the U.S . In 1991 , 1.7 million gallons of oil ruptured from Line 3 in Grand Rapids , MN . Enbridge was also responsible for the 2010 spill on the Kalamazoo river in Michigan . Clean up of that spill cost over a billion dollars and took nearly a decade . The resulting pollution has adversely affected the economy , public health , and the environment in Michigan . Enbridge has consistently reassured the public that pipeline safety is their primary goal . They employ technology to monitor pipelines , and train employees on emergency response . While significant oil spills ( > 238 barrels of oil ) have decreased in recent years , organizers in Minnesota feel that the potential for even one serious spill is too much of a risk . The Environmental Impact Statement on Line 3 acknowledges that some accidental release of oil is inevitable and that serious oil spills are possible
2010 spill
Kalamazoo River oil spill
Enbridge Line 3