The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approved a final permit for the controversial Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline Monday. The permit approval clears the way for construction to begin on the 340-mile pipeline, which local groups and Native American tribes say will exacerbate climate change and make new parts of the state, including pristine wilderness regions, vulnerable to oil spills. The final pipeline permit approval comes less than two weeks after most of a state environmental justice advisory board publicly resigned over the pipeline’s approval. Also on Monday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s new Advisory Council on Climate Change held its first meeting. (Permit approval: Star Tribune $, AP; Climate advisory council meeting: Star Tribune $)