Ohioans join forces to urge continued operation of a ‘vital resource’
Representatives of Enbridge, PBF Energy and USW Local 912 give away more than 250 gas cards worth about $6,200 on Nov. 23 at a BP service station in Oregon, OH, located about two miles from PBF Energy's Toledo refinery. Radio station WKKO (K100 Country) was onsite all day.
Businesses, unions, public officials underscore support for Line 5
Dec. 21, 2021
November is synonymous with Thanksgiving, so it is only fitting Enbridge had immense appreciation for the Ohioans uniting to show widespread support of Enbridge’s Line 5.
Residents, businesses, labor unions and trade groups joined elected officials in a bipartisan effort reiterating the importance of Enbridge Line 5 to the Buckeye State. They cited the significance the light crude oil and natural gas liquids pipeline to supporting family sustaining jobs and quality of life.
Throughout November, support included live television coverage at PBF Energy’s Toledo refinery, resolutions from elected Ohio leaders and a petition by Pipeliners Local 798.
On Nov. 22, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced they sent a letter to President Joe Biden in support of Line 5’s continued operation.
“Any disruption in Line 5 operations would have a devastating impact on the economy of northwest Ohio, further harming industry supply chains, eliminating thousands of good-paying jobs, and increasing the cost of fuel for transportation, heat for homes, and products Americans use every day,” reads the letter.
“The closure of this vital resource would put our state and region at a great disadvantage as the nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 global pandemic.”
Line 5 is vital
Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Sen. Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) sponsored Senate Resolution 211, urging President Biden to keep open Line 5. The Ohio Senate unanimously passed Gavarone and Yuko’s similar resolution in June.
“The closure of Line 5 would be devastating for thousands of Ohio workers and would increase already rising energy costs that Ohioans are paying right now,” said Gavarone.
Additionally, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce issued its own news release. “Americans are seeing huge price shocks at the pump and rising energy bills,” said Ohio Chamber President and CEO Steve Stivers. “Shuttering Line 5 would not only exacerbate this problem, but it will also be a major setback to domestic energy independence.”
To show appreciation to Ohioans, Enbridge teamed with BF Energy and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 912 to sponsor a gas-card giveaway at a service station in Oregon, Ohio.
“We gave away $25 gas cards along with other freebies and food,” said Enbridge senior community engagement advisor Candice Braddock. “It provided a chance to reconnect with people in the community, and help connect the dots on Enbridge’s role in keeping the energy, gasoline and other fuels flowing—as people will be counting on that energy, more than any other time of year, to stay warm and travel to see family for the holidays.”
