The last few weeks have been packed with news about Enbridge, the multimillion dollar company that owns and operates tar sands oil pipelines that crisscross the Great Lakes region, including Line 5.
We've been organizing to oppose Line 5 for years to protect climate, water and treaty rights, and for good reason. Enbridge's record is atrocious, and they continue to prove this point over and over again.
Last month the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gave Enbridge a major waterway and wetland permit for their proposed Line 5 reroute. Last week, Sierra Club, represented by Midwest Environmental Advocates along with the League of Women Voters and 350 Wisconsin, challenged that decision.
Photo Credit: Bee Kakac.
On November 11th -- just three days before the Line 5 permit was issued -- Enbridge reported a two gallon spill of crude oil from one of their pipelines near Cambridge, Wisconsin. This week the estimated spill volume was updated to almost 70,000 gallons, and reports have shown that, despite a fully functioning leak detection system, it did not detect the leak. Regarding pipelines, the question is when, not if it will leak. You can check out images of the spill cleanup here taken by photographer Bee Kakac.
River Reservation that is put at risk by Line 5.
Produced by GLIFWC.
The damage Enbridge causes doesn't start when oil begins flowing through pipelines. During the construction of Line 3 in Minnesota, Enbridge used a process called Horizontal Directional Drilling to install pipe, and that process failed 67% of the time, releasing drilling fluids to the surrounding area. They also punctured multiple aquifers, releasing millions of gallons of groundwater, for which they were fined and criminally charged.
We already know that damage will occur if Enbridge is allowed to construct the Line 5 reroute. It's critical that we stop the expansion to prevent the harm before it happens. And, they must be held accountable for their spills.
Join us in taking action to protect climate, water and treaty rights!