U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) – a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee which oversees the federal agency responsible for pipeline safety – today released the following statement on the State of Michigan revoking Enbridge’s easement to operate Line 5 underneath the Straits of Mackinac:
“There’s no question an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac would have catastrophic and long-term consequences to the economic and environmental health of Michigan and the Great Lakes. Unfortunately here in Michigan, we already know from the Enbridge pipeline leak in the Kalamazoo River just how devastating and costly spills are to our state.
“Given the structural integrity and age concerns around Line 5 – particularly in recent years – and Enbridge’s failures and inability to be transparent with Michiganders, it’s clear that Line 5 poses too serious of a threat and must be removed in the coming months.
“In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be working with PHMSA and the State of Michigan to swiftly evaluate alternatives to Line 5 while continuing to hold Enbridge accountable. We must do everything possible to protect our Great Lakes and support the businesses that rely on them – and I’ll continue working to protect them for future generations.”
Peters has led numerous efforts to improve oversight of pipeline operations in the Great Lakes. In 2018, Peters held a Senate Commerce Committee field hearing in Traverse City on Line 5 that runs through the Straits of Mackinac. Peters also got signed into law a provision to establish a U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes National Center of Expertise will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses. Current oil spill response technologies are primarily designed for saltwater environments.
Peters also led the successful effort to temporarily suspend Line 5 operations during severe weather in 2018 after an anchor strike damaged Line 5, but damage assessments had not been completed at the time of the severe weather.
The Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority strongly supports the decision by Governor Whitmer and the Department of Natural Resources to revoke and terminate the 1953 easement for Enbridge’s Line 5 through the Straits of Mackinac. In doing so, Michiganders will no longer have to live with the threat of a catastrophic oil spill in the Great Lakes.
The Straits of Mackinac is a place of cultural significance for all Anishanaabe people and the fishing by tribal members there is a vital part of our economy and culture. We have a responsibility to protect our environment and this area for future generations. The decision to terminate the easement will protect our state’s environment, economy and drinking water, without the threat that Line 5 has imposed.
We are thankful for the efforts and coordination of our state’s Native American tribes, allied organizations and grassroots organizers who have all come together in this cause, protecting our lakes and rivers that are vital to our daily lives.
Enbridge has repeatedly failed to maintain this pipeline to the standards that protect Michiganders, with numerous occurrences of broken supports, dents and corrosion. The company’s same failure in managing pipeline issues led to the Kalamazoo River oil spill disaster in 2010. The Canadian-based company has proven it is unworthy of the state’s trust.
CORA tribes will work with state and local officials to ensure adequate supplies of propane are available throughout the state after the line is closed. We believe this decision should also end Enbridge’s plan for a tunnel under the Straits for Line 5, a project with numerous questions including a negative impact on ancient archeological findings recently uncovered. We call on the state to take steps to deny further action on that project as well.
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