Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy v. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

Filing Date: 2008
Case Categories:
Principal Laws:
Minnesota Environmental Policy Act
Description: Challenge to environmental impact statement prepared in conjunction with 313-mile petroleum pipeline.
  • Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy v. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
    Docket number(s): A10-812
    Court/Admin Entity: Minn. Ct. App.
    Case Documents:
    Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary
    12/04/2010 Opinion Download Opinion issued. An environmental nonprofit filed a lawsuit challenging a 313-mile long crude oil pipeline in Minnesota, alleging that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) violated the Minnesota Environmental Protection Act by, among other things, not considering the GHG emissions from refining the tar sands from which the petroleum would be extracted.  A state district court granted summary judgment in favor of MPUC. The appellate court affirmed, holding that the state regulations did not require that MPUC take into account emissions from the tar sands.