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Several House Republicans from the Upper Peninsula are saying Thursday’s tanker spill highlights the environmental risk involved with closing the Enbridge Line Five pipeline. Representatives Greg Markkanen, Beau LaFave, and John Damoose put out a statement late in the day blasting a decision by the Biden Administration to review the plan previously negotiated by the Michigan legislature, the state executive branch under former governor Rick Snyder, and the Canadian company.
They write, “According to science and data, the safest form of transportation is a pipeline, but radical environmentalists in Lansing and D.C. seem to think they know better.” Without the pipeline, fuels must be transported by rail or by tanker truck. The Congressional Research Service says that pipelines are a much better option in terms of human safety.
The letter also warns about a potential propane shortage should Line Five be shut down. The full letter is below.
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State Reps. John Damoose, Beau LaFave and Greg Markkanen today criticized the Biden Administration’s review of the line 5 pipeline plan, which has previously gained approval from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, state Legislature, and former Gov. Snyder.
Today, a fuel tanker truck overturned resulting in a fuel spill that discharged into Portage Canal in Houghton County, causing an environmental incident and unfortunate situation for the nearby residents and Great Lakes. Public access to beaches has been shut down temporarily, and the public has been asked to avoid the affected area for the foreseeable future.
The representatives said, “This unfortunate incident in Houghton County earlier today will become more frequent if Governor Whitmer and President Biden get their way and shut down the safest means of transporting life-sustaining fuels, Line 5. It is quite ironic, and sad, that this accident occurred within hours of the Biden Administration announcing their intention to investigate the pipeline. If today’s events do not highlight the inherent dangers that vehicular transportation of fuels poses, we don’t know what will. According to science and data, the safest form of transportation is a pipeline, but radical environmentalists in Lansing and D.C. seem to think they know better.”
Like it or not, gas, fuel, and propane are essential sources of energy for Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ontario, and Quebec. Line 5 has never leaked into the Straits in its 68 years of operation.
“Besides the obvious safety concerns that come with shutting down the pipeline, it will also undoubtedly result in a propane shortage, which is a serious concern for the people in Northern Michigan & Upper Peninsula who rely on this energy to heat their homes and stay alive in frigid MI winters. We will continue pushing back on these types of ridiculous overreach, which only stands to endanger our communities. By downplaying the very real risk of not having enough fuel to heat our homes, the Democrats’ message is that canceling the pipeline is worth more than the lives of rural Michiganders. It’s unacceptable, and we will continue fighting against ideologues who are determined to see their agenda adopted no matter the financial or environmental cost.”
Canadian pipeline company Enbridge has pledged a $500-million investment in the Great Lakes Tunnel, providing secure transportation of gas and oil resources. Michigan taxpayers won’t foot the bill. The tunnel will protect the lakes and surrounding land from unnecessary truck spills. Shutting down the pipeline will result in more trucks on roads and increase the likelihood of more spills, exactly like the one today in Houghton County.
Representative John Damoose, 107th House District
Representative Beau LaFave, 108th House District
Representative Greg Markkanen, 110th House District
