Friday the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission granted a permit for an oil pipeline that will cross central Minnesota to the Minnesota Pipe Line Co.’s $300 million MinnCan Project. The pipeline, which will carry crude oil from northwestern Minnesota to a refinery in Rosemount, requires routing through Morrison, Stearns, Meeker, Wright and other area counties. City officials in Eden Valley had voiced concerns about the pipeline running too close to the city, fearing that if a leak occurred, oil damage to area property could cause problems in area lakes and rivers, as well. The route at Eden Valley has not been changed at this time. Reports are that the pipeline could be operational by early next year, if work on the line starts this summer.
