24/7 vigilance protects the precious waters of the Straits of Mackinac
Enbridge honors Earth Day 2021
April 20, 2021
It’s a crisp, clear April morning on the Great Lakes.
One of two Enbridge patrol boats navigates the waves, spraying those on deck with cold water from the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Huron meet.
“I can look all around and see the reason why we’re here, patrolling,” says Bill Hazel, vice-president Marine Services Marine Pollution Control. “These blue, pristine waters of the Great Lakes are a constant reminder of the need to watch over them and protect them for people now and generations to come. It makes this year’s Earth Day even more special, knowing we are doing our part—operating under all types of weather conditions.”
The patrol boats run 24/7 and are on a mission to protect the Great Lakes from any anchor mishaps that could threaten Line 5, the twin oil pipelines that rest on the lakebed at the Straits. On March 29, the patrols resumed for the 2021 shipping season.
The boats are part of suite of marine traffic safety systems Enbridge put in place that are monitored by the Enbridge Straits Maritime Operations Center (ESMOC) The goal is to prevent anchor strikes by constantly monitoring the Straits.
“There are all sorts of ways that people and organizations can commemorate and honor Earth Day, but for me it’s more than just a single day; it’s an ongoing commitment to make sure these waters stay clean and remain that way,” says Hazel.
Earth Day is more than five decades old
The first Earth Day was celebrated 51 years ago, on April 22, 1970. The idea for the day came from U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI), who was concerned about the environment in the U.S. He announced to the national media an idea for a teach-in on college campuses. Nelson persuaded Congressman Pete McCloskey (R-CA) to serve as a co-chair of the bi-partisan event. Approximately 20 million Americans participated in that inaugural event with protests, fundraisers, concerts and other civic gatherings around the country.
Since then, Earth Day has grown to be the largest global environmental event. Today, it’s celebrated in more than 192 countries worldwide and is commemorated in many ways—by riding your bike, taking photos of nature and wildlife, buying reusable bags, supporting a local farmer’s market, and participating in community gatherings with COVID-19 precautions, to mention a few ways.
Businesses play an important, ongoing role
Businesses are doing their part as well, not just for the day but by also making a commitment to long-range actions and goals, adding protections for the environment and people’s way of life. Enbridge is just one of many energy companies that is leading the way to a cleaner future. Enbridge has invested $6 billion in renewables like wind and solar and is committed to net zero emissions by 2050 (learn more here).
“The patrols and other marine safety measures are a conscience decision we’re making to protect the environment,” says Bob Lehto, Enbridge’s operations manager for the northern Michigan area.
“The long-term solution is the Great Lakes Tunnel Project, which will be bored under the lakebed at the Straits. Our goal is protecting Michigan’s waters—while continuing to deliver an uninterrupted supply of reliable, affordable energy that Michigan needs.”
Adds Mike Moeller, director of Enbridge’s Great Lakes region: “It’s really an importance balance. Michiganders rely on us to provide transportation fuel and propane through Line 5. Every day we have a clear mission to do that safely and reliably. We’re focused on ensuring the safety and protection of the Straits of Mackinac as we move ahead with the Great Lakes Tunnel Project.”
The company recently reported completion of the engineering and design phase of a four-mile tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac that will house a replacement segment of Line 5. The next phase is to hire a contractor to build the tunnel.
