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Years of Protests Demand Unsafe Michigan Pipeline Be Shut Down

Energy company argues its proposed tunnel project is safe; protesters say no.

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LIne 5 pipeline protest
Protesters gather to hear Enbridge Energy’s arguments to the Michigan Supreme Court for a Line 4 tunnel project “for safety” that protesters say will not make the unsafe pipeline safe. Photo/Valerie Jean

Editor’s note: Photojournalist Valerie Jean captures the faces of some of the many water protectors, activists and groups active in the long struggle of Michiganders to shut down the Line 5 pipeline, known as “America’s most dangerous pipeline.”

LANSING, MI — Water protectors, activists, and organizations from all over Michigan gathered on March 11 at Central United Methodist Church in Lansing to watch the Michigan Supreme Court hear arguments regarding Enbridge Energy’s proposed experimental Line 5 tunnel project.

Fight to shut down Enbridge Line 5 pipeline in MI

After years of protests demanding that Line 5 be decommissioned, even after the easement permit was revoked and the pipeline was ordered to be shut down by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Enbridge is determined to build an experimental tunnel around Line 5 for “safety measures.” But we all know those safety measures don’t exist, and the construction of the tunnel itself is dangerous.
Enbridge wants to discharge five million gallons of wastewater into Lake Michigan every day while the tunnel is being constructed,” said Mike Wilczynski, who has more than 40 years of geological and environmental experience.
 During the hearing, an Enbridge lawyer argued that with or without the tunnel, Line 5 would continue to operate. Line 5 was constructed in 1953 and was designed to last 50 years. It has been running through the Great Lakes for 23 years past its decommission date.

Press Conference after the auguments:

At a press conference after the arguments, Davis Scott, Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said it was the most packed courtroom he had ever seen, evidence of how important this issue is to the people of Michigan. Whitney Gravelle, President of the Bay Mills Indian Community, said, “The arguments were disheartening. We continue to hear a lot of propaganda put forward by Enbridge about Line 5 that is not true, that is inherently false. As we reflect on the arguments and what’s at stake for every single Michigander, I really ask people to examine the independent facts that exist out there.”

It was an important reminder to all of us: Enbridge lies, and lies, and lies. Michigan Climate Action Network Director Denise Keele reminded folks, “That tunnel would lock us into unnecessary fossil fuel infrastructure and carbon emissions equivalent to 19 million gas-powered vehicles each year.”
When asked, Riyaz Kanji, a lawyer representing Flow Water Advocates, said the Michigan Supreme Court decision may not come until June.

Now we wait. We educate, organize, and agitate.

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