Stand up for affordable, reliable energy in Ohio
Line 5 has been a vital piece of energy infrastructure since 1953. Who uses Line 5? If you live in Ohio, you likely do.
Line 5 is not just important to Michigan, but to neighboring states like Ohio and beyond—and it has operated safely and reliably at the Straits of Mackinac for more than 65 years.
Speak up and make your voice heard. Have your say on this vital issue.
Line 5 delivers the light oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) that heat homes and businesses, fuel vehicles and power industry in the region.
"The devastating consequences of shutting down Line 5 cannot be overstated. It would put at risk and possibly cause the shutdown of refineries served by Line 5 in Ohio and elsewhere, resulting in the loss of over $5.4 billion in annual economic output and tens of thousands of jobs,” Ohio Congressman Bob Latta and nine fellow Congressmen from Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Oklahoma wrote in a December 2020 letter to the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the regulator that oversees Line 5.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's attempt to shut down the operation of Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is a clear violation of federal law and the U.S. Constitution. It's another attempt by the State of Michigan to interfere with the operation of this critical infrastructure by assuming authority it does not possess.
Shutting down Line 5, even temporarily, would have an immediate and severe effect on the economies of Ohio, Michigan, Ontario and elsewhere. It would threaten thousands of jobs, terminate a vital source of home heating fuel, and jeopardize commerce in the region (the light oil currently moved on Line 5 is refined into gas, diesel and jet fuel supplying Michigan's airports).
Line 5 supports the 300-plus members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 912 in Toledo who work at the Toledo Refining Co. facility. Should Line 5 be shut down, even temporarily, the refinery may be forced to cease operations.
“Each one of our jobs supports about 12 community jobs in our area,” says Justin Donley, President of USW Local 912. “The future of our community, our jobs, our environment and more depend on the future of Line 5.”
The closure of Line 5, adds Chief Operator Nicole Riffner, “would be devastating for us, really . . . and devastating for the community, as well, since it provides that many jobs for that many people.”
Let people know that you support the continued safe operation of Line 5, and Enbridge’s Great Lakes Tunnel project. Here are 5 ways you can take action:
