Many don't know there are 2 Canadian oil pipelines in our Great Lakes called Line 5. Here's what's most important to know about it (click on links to source for everything mentioned):
This map shows the 645 mile route of oil pipeline known as Line 5. It is a shortcut to benefit the Canadian company, Enbridge, for exporting it's oil while we take enormous risks.
Line 5 crosses over 400 ecologically sensitive wetlands and waterways, but none are as vulnerable as Line 5's path under the water in the Straits of Mackinac where the currents are strong. There is 10 times more flow in the Straits than there is over Niagra Falls! In addition to concerns of its 67 year old, poor condition, there is the hazard of a dropped anchor rupturing the pipeline which became all too real in April 2018 when an anchor drop broke two electrical cables spilling over 600 gallons of oil - and putting 3 dents in the already deteriorating Line 5 nearby. This should serve as a huge wake up call. Line 5 is operated by the same Canadian company, Enbridge, responsible for the oil spill in 2010 that closed 35 miles of the Kalamazoo River for 2 years - and another even larger spill in Minnesota in 1991.
Enbridge took a long time to admit that the current Line 5 is deteriorating and has proposed a tunnel be built. A tunnel is a distraction. Michigan does not need the oil in Line 5. We can remove the risk that transporting oil poses by shutting down Line 5. Even the vice-chair of the Mackinac Bridge Authority is against building a tunnel.
Line 5 is an 71 year old oil pipeline which carries up to 22 ½ million gallons of light crude oil and other petroleum products through the very vulnerable stretch of water in the Straits of Mackinac in the state of Michigan every day, 24/7. Most of this oil - at least 70% as confirmed by Enbridge and probably closer to 95% per Oil & Water Don’t Mix calculations - returns to Canada for export. Michigan does not need Line 5 in any form. People in the U.P. use less than ¼ of 1% of what is carried in Line 5. What propane Michigan uses is easily replaced for very little cost. Therefore, shutting Line 5 down completely is very doable. This independent study published in September 2018 shows the alternatives for Michigan businesses and consumers. As Pipeline Safety Advisory Board member Mike Shriberg says so well, “While there are substitutes for Line 5, there are no alternatives for the Great Lakes and our way of life”.
For about 4.5 miles, Line 5 becomes two 20-inch oil pipelines which run under the water only ¼ mile west of the Mackinac Bridge. This is the "worst place in the Great Lakes for an oil spill", according to Dave Schwab who has been studying water and currents for decades. Even a small spill would likely impact 37 miles of shoreline. A large one could impact 722 miles of shoreline. This comparison shows 3 different spill scenarios and the ping pong nature of how water acts in the Straits.
A contractor for the Coast Guard estimates that a clean up of 30% of an oil spill here would be the best case scenario. This assumes there is daylight and waves of less than 3 feet, an no ice as they are not fully prepared to handle an open water spill when the Straits are iced-over.
Obviously, an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac would be bad for our water and impact the 30 million people who depend on the Great Lakes for water. An oil spill could also devastate our economy. In less than 3 hours, a spill of 2,500,000 gallons (10% of what Line 5's daily capacity is), could reel a $6 billion blow to Michigan's economy. In addition to our drinking water and our economy, the 3,500 species which have habitats in the Great Lakes area would be impacted, too. It took Enbridge 17 hours to shut off the oil in Kalamazoo, so 3 hours to shut off Line 5 is a conservative estimate.
An oil spill would directly jeopardize the long term economy in the Great Lakes. Within 6 weeks of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf, hotel cancellations were at 60%. Even areas which did not have ANY oil pollution at all experienced significant drops in tourism.
The choice is clear. Line 5 poses an unacceptable risk.
On November 13, 2020, Governor Whitmer took action to revoke the easement which allows Line 5 to operate and shut down the dual pipelines through the Straits of Mackinac, as she promised that she would during her campaign. This was a historic and courageous move to protect one of Michigan’s biggest natural resources - the Great Lakes. Not everyone can see that in the big picture, this move to protect our water is clearly in the best interest of Michigan’s economy and the environment. There is strong corporate pushback against shutting down Line 5 which is supported by its operator, the Canadian company Enbridge. During the June 30, 2020 hearing with Judge Jamo, Enbridge claimed that it suffers “1.76 million dollar loss per day” that Line 5 is not operating.
Therefore, it is important to let Governor Whitmer know that you support shutting down Line 5. The easiest way is to email Gretchen.Whitmer@michigan.gov with “Support for shutting down Line 5” or something similar, in the subject line. You needn’t write much more in the body of the email as the subject line is the most important part to be included in the daily summary she gets about why people are contacting her office. You can also call, but it is sometimes hard to get through. The two numbers are the general number - (517) 373-3400 and constituent affairs - (517) 335-7858. Please also call your senator and congressional representative and let them know you oppose Line 5.
Line 5 puts our water, jobs, and quality of life in the Great Lakes at risk, every moment it operates. You can easily do something about it by contacting the Governor that you support shutting down Line 5 - without making a donation or getting on another email list!
For the latest information about Line 5, go to the FaceBook page Retire Line 5 (you don’t need to be on FaceBook to read it).