Modeling confirms oil will not reach Lake Superior from Line 5 segment relocation

Spill modeling for the Line 5 Segment Relocation Project in northern Wisconsin confirms there is no credible scenario where crude oil would reach Lake Superior from the relocated segment. In the one in 15 million chance there is a full-bore rupture on this segment, crude oil would not reach Lake Superior even after 48 hours with no emergency response at all.  

In reality, the pipeline would be shut down and valves closed in 13 minutes or less and crews would be dispatched immediately to contain and clean up any spill.   

Over thirteen thousand hydrocarbon and sediment scenarios were modeled for the proposed route - and all route alternatives - spanning a wide range of locations, environmental conditions, seasons, volume of release, and emergency response measures. The probability analysis confirms a release is highly unlikely at any volume. 

This extensive, state of the art computational spill and sediment modeling was done by RPS, a firm with over 40 years of experience. Their results confirm the proposed route is the best of the alternatives based on the relatively shorter construction length, and a reduced potential to impact the Bad River Reservation, stands of wild rice, Lake Superior, and populated areas. The spill and sediment modeling reports for the proposed relocation project have now been filed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Millions of consumers in the upper Midwest rely on Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline for affordable, safe and reliable energy.  The pipeline has safely operated through the Bad River Reservation since 1953.  

Enbridge’s Line 5 Segment Relocation Project will be built by a Wisconsin contractor and a trained union workforce,creating an estimated 700 family-supporting union construction jobs. Roughly $46 million will be spent specifically with Native-owned businesses and training and hiring Native American workers, who will make up at least 10% of the project workforce.   

The project will move forward once all necessary permits and approvals are received.