Support mounting for Enbridge’s Line 5
The Ohio House of Representatives, including Minority Whip Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) at inset, passed a March 23 resolution imploring Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to keep Line 5 operational.
State representatives, trades, industry leading the way
March 31, 2021
In a nod to good neighbors, environmental health and safety, and economic growth, the Ohio House of Representatives recently passed a resolution in its efforts aimed at underscoring the significance of Enbridge’s Line 5 to the region, which includes two Toledo-area refineries.
Passing 73-10, the March 23 resolution showed overwhelming bi-partisan support to keep Line 5 operational.
“This relatively small piece of infrastructure fuels a massive piece of our regional transportation system,” said State Rep. Michael Sheehy (D-Oregon), one of four co-sponsors of the resolution. “Disrupting the operation of Line 5 would move the transportation of fuel to our roads, bridges and our highways with a far greater chance of having some sort of an accident.”
Safe alternatives are underway
In addressing his colleagues from the floor, Sheehy cited his long history of environmental advocacy. He also was quick to tout Enbridge’s plan for the Great Lakes Tunnel to enhance safeguards and implored colleagues to question: “So why are we threatening hundreds of jobs in the midst of a pandemic when safer alternatives are already underway?”
State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), another co-sponsor of the resolution, addressed the energy security Line 5 provides.
“The loss of additional oil refining capacity will leave the U.S. more dependent on foreign sources of refined oil products,” said Ghanbari. “This is not just key to northwest Ohio, it’s key to all of Ohio and the rest of the United States.”
Another co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. James Hoops (R-Napoleon), echoed Ghanbari’s sentiment in encouraging bi-partisan support of the resolution. “This would send a message that we’re unified in this,” Hoops said, “because this is very important not only to northwest Ohio, but also for the rest of this section of the country.”
Minority Whip Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) also co-sponsored the successful bill. In her remarks to colleagues, she emphasized the “important opportunity for us to urge our sister state to work not only across state lines, but for us to also work together to have a solution that looks at the environment, and look for ways in which we can promote economic development and maintain the jobs.”
Michigan legislators hearing from trades, business, industry
While the Ohio House of Representatives was taking action to show strong support for the continuing operation of Line 5, the energy committee in each the Michigan House and Senate, respectively, was hearing from trades, business and industry groups.
Representing the Michigan Propane Gas Association (MPGA), Jane Tomaszewski delivered a presentation March 23 to the Michigan House of Representatives Energy Committee. Tomaszewski, who also works at Crystal Flash, a Michigan energy distribution company for the Lower Peninsula, stressed to House members why Line 5 is essential.
“Over half of the propane in all of Michigan comes from Line 5,” she told legislators. “The Lower Peninsula uses 13 times as much propane as the Upper Peninsula, and an unexpected closure of Line 5 would be a chaotic event.”
Additionally, Tomaszewski shared that “consumers will pay more for their fuel for some time to come with Line 5 out of service. The Great Lakes Tunnel offers a safe solution to continue to bring the energy needed to Michiganders at a cost- effective means while we make a slower transition to other sources of energy.”
Many futures are on the line
In addition to MPGA, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) were among those testifying over the past two weeks before the respective energy committees of Michigan’s House and Senate.
Bob Bailey, the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Sarnia-Lambton, also testified, sharing, “It is not just our government fighting for Line 5. We have heard from unions, associations and all levels of government from Canada and the United States who are calling on the government in Michigan to reverse this decision.”
While Michigan state leaders assess the depth of what Line 5 means to its residents and surrounding states, the United Steelworkers of America (USW) escalated its support of what Line 5 means to refineries throughout the region.
The week of March 22, the USW launched its Future on the Line campaign. In addition to a website, a powerful video at the heart of the campaign features USW workers from the Toledo refineries.
“This campaign underscores that while Gov. Whitmer is attempting to revoke a long-standing easement agreement with which Enbridge remains fully compliant, her actions extend well beyond Enbridge,” said Mike Koby, Enbridge vice-president of U.S. Liquids Pipelines. “The USW campaign brings the implications of such actions to life, putting names and faces to those people who would be among the thousands shouldering the rippling distress that would come from the absence of Line 5.”
With the March 23 passing of the Ohio House of Representatives resolution urging Gov. Whitmer to reverse course on this issue, momentum is growing to support the continued safe operation of Line 5 in the Straits.
“You cannot disrupt a critical energy chain without a clear plan to replace it,” said Sheehy. “The actions taken in Michigan have not fully considered the consequences here (in Ohio), which will fall disproportionately on working-class families and communities.”
