Tell 5 Friends who care about our Great Lakes:
Line 5 Fast Facts
Every Day Line 5 carries up to 22.6 million gallons of oil under the water in the Straits of Mackinac next to the Mackinac Bridge through 2 pipelines. The flow of water in the Straits is 10 times greater than the Niagra Falls - AND the water reverses direction every few days which is why it is the "worst place in the Great Lakes" to transport oil.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________Operated by Enbridge, the same company responsible for the 2 largest inland oil spills in U.S - including the one which resulted in 35 miles of Kalamazoo River being closed for 2 years, and one in Minnesota in the 1990’s which was even larger. Built in 1953, Line 5 is 67 years old already which is 28 years older than the oil pipeline that broke & spoiled the Kalamazoo River
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The vast majority (90-95%) of what typically flows through Line 5 returns to Canada for export for Enbridge’s profit. Studies have shown Michigan does not need Line 5. Michigan needlessly takes enormous risk for little overall benefit.
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Coast Guard estimates that best case of oil recovery from a Line 5 spill in the Straits is 30 % clean up - this assumes daylight, waves under 3 feet, no ice, and they move all their equipment to be ready (it's not).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________There’ve been 31 documented spills already.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________The Alternative Analysis Report given on July 6, 2017 states the top primary threat is an anchor drop. On April 2, 2018, an accidental anchor drop ruptured 2 electrical lines close to Line 5 and spilled at least 600 gallons of coolant oil in those lines. As of April 16, 2018, only an estimated 300 gallons was recovered. In June 2020 there was another strike of some sort. A Temporary Restraining Order was issued to keep the East branch of Line 5 closed but that is no longer in effect.
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If a spill happens, all of Michigan jobs will be effected as loss from tourism revenue impacts everyone, not to mention the damage to the environment and contamination of our drinking water.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________It is important to let Michigan Governor Whitmer know you support the complete shutdown of Line 5 - which means NO TUNNEL ! Easiest is to email her Gretchen.Whitmer@michigan.gov though you can try calling (517) 373-3400. Be sure to put “Support shutting down Line 5” in the subject line if you email.