ST. PAUL – State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, issued the following statement after the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission recently approved Magellan Midstream Partners’ proposed petroleum pipeline reroute around Pipestone National Monument in southwestern Minnesota.
“I appreciate the Public Utilities Commission’s decision to approve this pipeline route,” said Swedzinski, who co-chairs the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee. “This is a practical step toward protecting an important cultural and historic landmark while maintaining the fuel infrastructure that Minnesota businesses, farmers and families rely on. The approved route also provides an opportunity to move forward with additional cultural and archaeological surveys and continued coordination with tribal nations.”
The original pipeline was shut down in 2022 after federal officials declined to renew its right-of-way through the monument. Although the PUC previously rejected a proposed reroute and ordered additional archaeological and cultural surveys, tribal representatives and state historic preservation officials raised concerns. The approval requires continued coordination with tribal nations.
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