Minnesota regulators at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will take up the approval process for Enbridge Energy's controversial plan to replace its decrepit Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.

The process had been stalled until legal challenges by environmental and tribal groups could be heard.  These groups contend that any upgrade to the pipeline would aggravate climate change and pose an unacceptable risk of spills into sensitive lakes, streams and wetlands.

The PUC will soon announce how to proceed in complying with a court order for more study on the potential effects of spills in the Lake Superior watershed.