Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

Shutting Down Line 5 [Campaign]

Enbridge’s aging Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac is a ticking time bomb threatening an oil spill in our Great Lakes. The pipeline is past its lifespan for safe operation and a spill will devastate Michigan’s environmental health and economy.

Shutting Down Line 5 is the Right Decision for Michigan

A Line 5 rupture in the Straits of Mackinac would impact 700 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, take years to clean up and devastate our Great Lakes economy. Gov. Whitmer’s action to revoke the easement agreement with Enbridge Line 5 will protect the Great Lakes from a catastrophic oil spill.

ENBRIDGE HAS FAILED MICHIGAN BEFORE, CAUSING ONE OF THE LARGEST INLAND OIL SPILLS IN U.S. HISTORY.

The Kalamazoo River oil spill in 2010 dumped more than one million gallons of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River after claiming the pipeline was safe. The result: $1.2 billion in cleanup costs, devastated ecosystems, property damage and loss, and the permanent presence of bitumen (a black viscous mixture used for road surfacing and roofing) in the river.

THE LINE 5 DUAL PIPELINES UNDER THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC ARE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND ARE NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE.

In 2018, a tugboat anchor struck the pipeline, damaging it in multiple areas and nearly causing a rupture.

Over the years, protective coating on the pipeline has worn away, exposing bare metal and weakening the pipeline’s integrity.

Enbridge has consistently failed to properly anchor the pipeline to the lakebed, letting it sway uncontrolled in the strong Straits currents.

LINE 5 PROVIDES ONLY A PORTION OF THE PROPANE IN MICHIGAN AND THERE ARE BETTER SOURCES TO MEET THE U.P.’S ENERGY NEEDS.

The U.P. Energy Task Force has provided a number of solutions to meet the U.P.’s energy needs that will maintain affordability and access through proper planning and alternatives.

An independent study from London Economics International found that price impacts for propane from a Line 5 shut down would be negligible, at around 5 cents/gallon.

The U.P. Energy Task force determined 3-4 truckloads or 1-2 train cars of propane per day could replace the U.P.’s reliance on Line 5 propane.

ENBRIDGE ENERGY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEMONSTRATING A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OUR GREAT LAKES.

In 2010, Enbridge’s Line 6B Pipeline ruptured, spilling more than a million gallons of oil, which resulted in the largest inland oil spill in history.

In June 2020, Line 5 was temporarily shut down due to significant damage to anchor supports on the pipeline caused by an anchor strike and Enbridge failed to inform state officials about the damage and condition of the line.

In recent years, Enbridge has continuously failed to demonstrate proper care for the pipeline, violating its agreement with the state of Michigan.

THE NUMBER OF JOBS AT RISK IF LINE 5 RUPTURES FAR OUTWEIGH THE JOBS CURRENTLY SUPPORTED BY THE PIPELINE.

More than 214,000 jobs are supported by tourism alone, which are at risk if Line 5 ruptures.

Enbridge only employs 116 people in Michigan, including contractors.

An independent 2017 study by Dynamic Risk found decommissioning and removing Line 5 would create 2,188 jobs.

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