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Get the Facts: Line 5 Shutdown

Tell President Biden to Support Shutting Down Line 5

Line 5, the ticking time bomb in our Great Lakes, is almost 30 years past its expected lifetime and continues to be the single greatest threat to our Great Lakes.

The fight to shut down Line 5 has been a long one, but last year we saw big progress. In June 2023, a Wisconsin judge ruled that Enbridge Energy had been trespassing on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas’ land, which a portion of Line 5 runs through in Wisconsin. The land where the pipeline runs poses significant environmental risks due to erosion, exposing the pipeline in multiple areas and increasing the risk of a rupture.

The judge ordered Enbridge to either re-route its pipeline or shut it down entirely within three years. Thanks to the Bad River Band’s tireless advocacy, we have a potential shutdown date for Line 5!

The Department of Justice, however, issued a brief on the case after Enbridge appealed the ruling. While the Department of Justice agreed Enbridge has been trespassing and must pay more damages to the Bad River Band, the brief did not take a firm position on whether Line 5 should be shut down for good. Now is the time to make it clear to the Biden administration that we cannot afford to continue allowing Enbridge to pump oil through our Great Lakes.

Send a message to President Biden to support the Bad River Band’s rights and shut down Line 5 once and for all.

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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.

700 miles of shoreline are at risk if Line 5 ruptures

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

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.

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