Support the landowners and County that are taking a stand against Enbridge, the multi-billion dollar Canadian company responsible for contaminating the Midwest with toxic tar sands, and we need your help.
Enbridge is in the process of expanding its existing pipeline network in the Midwest in order to transport tar sands from Canada to the Gulf Coast. Enbridge’s Line 61 Pipeline runs through the entirety of Wisconsin, beginning in Superior and flowing down through the Illinois state line. Enbridge will soon complete their plan to triple the amount of oil flowing through the Line 61 Pipeline, resulting in a total of 1.2 million barrels of tar sands oil flowing through Wisconsin every day. This is 45% more than the Keystone XL and 155% more than the Dakota Access Pipeline. After the final expansion of the Line 61 Pipeline, more than 2.3 million barrels of oil per day will be traveling through Wisconsin. That’s not enough for Enbridge. Enbridge is also planning to build a Line 61 Twin (or Line 66) Pipeline through the state as well.
Dane County, one of the counties the pipeline travels through, required that in order for Enbridge to receive its permit, it had to purchase additional insurance--ensuring that Dane County and its residents wouldn’t be on the hook to have to pay to clean up the spill. In 2015, Enbridge demanded that Dane County remove this requirement.
Enbridge argued that the requirement was invalidated by a state budget provision included in the 2015-2017 budget, that some claim was inserted due to Enbridge lobbyists. Over 100 concerned Wisconsinites were present at each of the zoning board meetings, encouraging the board to make their decision to protect the people and the land in the inevitable event of a spill. In 2016, seven landowners with property within 350 yards of the pipeline filed a lawsuit against Enbridge, stating that if the state budget provision prohibits the county from enforcing an insurance requirement, it does not similarly prohibit landowners. Both the County and landowners continue to demand something as little as some assurance that they won’t be paying to clean up a spill. For more background, check out 350-Madison's background.
This long legal battle isn’t over. Our continued presence will show that there a committed, resilient, and organized public that cares about this case. Just as we did in 2015, we hope to encourage the court to protect the people, land, and water of Wisconsin. The Appeals Court has agreed to hear the argument. The hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday. Here are the details:
Wednesday, January 24th at 10:00 AM
Supreme Court Hearing Room
(2nd Floor, East Wing)
If you plan to join, please arrive at 9:30 AM so we can be seated for the hearing. Since this is a formal court proceeding, we ask you to wear respectful clothing and leave signs at home. This is not a protest. We will be showing our concern by simply being there to listen.
We hope to see you there! RSVP Here or respond to the Facebook event here.
