Line 5 is an important part of Michigan’s future
Aligns with State’s goals to strengthen economy, improve environment
Jan. 25, 2022
Cost reductions for families. Increased business competitiveness. Expanding opportunities for more Michiganders. These are initiatives and policies that can support and benefit Michigan workers and their families.
These themes are expected in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Jan. 25 State of the State address, according to a State news release.
As she enters her second term, Gov. Whitmer will outline her plans for the next four years and what she and her team, working with the Legislature, hope to achieve in moving Michigan forward.
Aligned, common goals
“Gov. Whitmer believes in Michigan’s future, as do we,” said Kate Houchard, CMRP, Enbridge’s area manager in Michigan for operations.
“Enbridge is investing in the future of energy in Michigan and across the region, leading the way on the energy transition and transformation, while also addressing climate change challenges.”
“We align with the State’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050; our own efforts to achieving carbon neutrality are well underway.”
—Kate Houchard, Enbridge’s operations manager for the Great Lakes Region
The energy company says it supports efforts to grow and strengthen Michigan’s critical manufacturing sector, as well as small business and agricultural sectors. The fuels that Line 5 delivers to the State and region day in, and day out are critical to Michigan industries: the products they make, the jobs and livelihoods they support, and their ability to invest, expand, and thrive.
Line 5 provides a reliable source of affordable energy and is a building block for more than 6,000 products like medicines, vital medical equipment, eyeglasses, computers and phones, just to mention a few items.
“Line 5’s operation, and that energy it carries, is vital for Michiganders,” said Houchard. “The reliability of Line 5 in delivering key fuels for Michigan is essential to increasing our State’s economic competitiveness and industry expansions.”
Since taking office four years ago, the Whitmer administration has pushed forward with plans to transition to a cleaner energy future, reducing Michigan’s carbon footprint.
“We align with the State’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050; our own efforts to achieving carbon neutrality are well underway and we hope people see Enbridge as a leader and driver of the energy transformation as we seek a cleaner, safer environment for everyone,” said Houchard.
Investing for the future, relying on stable, conventional energy too
Enbridge has invested $6 billion on renewable energy and new technology on its way to reaching net zero. It anticipates spending another $3 billion by 2025.
To achieve its environmental goals of reaching net zero, Enbridge is modernizing its systems with newer technologies and lower carbon solutions. The energy company has two decades of experience in renewable energy to advance new technologies including wind and solar power, hydrogen, renewable natural gas, carbon capture and storage. For Line 5, at the Straits, and along its system, the pipeline’s pumps are driven by clean electric motors.
“We recognize that tomorrow is what we make it,’’ said Houchard, referring to Enbridge’s commitment to lead the energy transition to cleaner, affordable and reliable energy.
While the transition takes place, the U.S. will still need conventional energy to power homes and businesses. To keep energy flowing, Line 5’s Great Lake Tunnel Project will ensure that Michiganders keep receiving the energy they count on today as well as for decades to come.
Placed below the lakebed, the Tunnel will house a replacement section of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. It will eliminate the chance of an anchor strike to Line 5 and essentially eliminate the chance of a spill from Line 5 into the Straits, while continuing to provide the region with the energy on which it depends every day.
Houchard continued, “The Tunnel project has been determined to be a common-sense solution for protecting the Great Lakes, which is a priority of this administration that we have embraced and take seriously. Our project team is preparing for the start of construction and will be ready to begin as soon as permitting agencies have completed their work and issue the permits required to safely build the tunnel and move Line 5 in the tunnel.”
“We are committed to protecting the waters of the Great Lakes while keeping energy flowing as the energy transformation continues to progress.”
