Fight over Line 5 reroute rages in Wisconsin

(The Center Square) – More than 11,500 Wisconsinites have signed a petition in support of Enbridge Energy’s plan to reroute the Line 5 pipeline around tribal lands, one day before the public comment period on the project closes.

After a years-long legal battle over the existing portion of Line 5 running through Bad River Band lands, Enbridge has agreed to cease transporting oil and gas through the pipes. The company plans instead to replace 20 miles of existing pipeline – including the 12 miles currently within the reservation – with a 41-mile-long stretch of pipe around the reservation.

“Line 5 plays a particularly important role in the regional propane supply. Propane is an essential energy source for just about every farm in the state. Propane is often the only viable energy source to heat farmers’ homes, heat cleaning and sanitation water, heat livestock barns and dry crops after harvest. Clean burning propane is even used to power some farm equipment,” the Wisconsin Ag Coalition wrote. “We are very concerned about the impact on propane price and supply if the Line 5 relocation is not approved.”

But the Band and a collection of environmental groups are opposed to this change as well, arguing the construction and functioning of more lines through Wisconsin “merely prolongs the threat to the Band’s home, Lake Superior, and all the Great Lakes.”

They have cited concerns including wetland and wildlife destruction, water contamination, threats to endangered species, possible obstruction of tribal customs or activities, and oil spills in the future.

More than 150,000 comments were submitted to the U.S. Army Corps , the entity responsible for issuing the construction permits necessary for the project to move forward. Comments are not tracked in terms of support or opposition, and citizens or organizations from any state can submit comments.

The Line 5 pipeline transports up to 23 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids each day from Wisconsin to Ontario.

Enbridge forecasts the relocation owould create more than 700 construction jobs and provide millions in tax revenue to the state. The company has also promised to allocate more than 10% of the $450 million budget for the project to Native-owned businesses and the training and hiring of tribal members to work on the project.