Freezing temps persist, propane usage expected to climb
Region receives reliable, affordable energy from Line 5 pipeline
Jan. 15, 2025
Part 1 of a 2-part Series
Another frigid artic blast known as a polar vortex is poised to potentially plunge Michiganders into a continuing deep freeze. The brunt of the cold weather could hit this weekend.
Weather forecasters predict the vortex will likely cause temperatures to stay below freezing for the second half of January.
For Michigan, the demand for propane to heat homes and businesses is expected to spike.
“Winter weather emphasizes the need for an affordable and reliable source of propane,” said Ken Misiewicz, Chairman Crystal Flash Inc., an employee-owned energy distribution company serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across Michigan and other midwestern states.
The Grand Rapids-based company expects energy demand to increase across the board.
“The Midwest, and Michigan in particular, has the highest number of homes in the U.S. heated by propane. A significant number of Michiganders rely on propane for heating their homes and businesses, making hot water and drying grain,” continued Misiewicz.
Line 5 plays a key role in keeping Michiganders warm
Access to a reliable and affordable energy is more than a convenience—it’s a necessity.
Line 5, an Enbridge-owned pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, plays a central role in meeting that need. The pipeline delivers more than half the propane used in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and nearly half of the State’s total supply.
“West Michigan supports Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline, which carries the raw material and natural gas liquids used to make the propane that many of our homeowners and farmers reply on.” said Misiewicz.
“It’s important that we don’t forget how vital this pipeline is to our State.”
In the Upper Peninsula, where winters can be long and harsh, propane is a vital resource for heating homes and powering essential services. Disruptions to propane supply chains can disproportionately impact rural areas like the Upper Peninsula, according to the National Propane Gas Association,
Line 5’s uninterrupted supply prevents price spikes and helps communities remain warm and safe even during peak demand. Propane’s role extends beyond heating; it powers essential agricultural equipment, enabling Michigan’s farming communities to continue operations year-round.
Prepared for the extended winter blast
Enbridge reports that its Line 5 pipeline is ready for the harsh winter weather, fully operational and safe.
“Line 5 provides families and businesses across Michigan the energy they need when they need it,” said Enbridge’s Kate Houchard who leads the company’s operations in the Upper Peninsula.
“From heating homes to fueling agriculture, the pipeline’s contributions cannot be overstated. We have taken steps to keep Line 5 operating safely and making sure it doesn’t miss a beat in providing Michiganders the energy they need during the polar vortex and beyond.”
Regional benefits
The benefits of Line 5 extend beyond Michigan.
By supplying light crude oil to US refineries in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, the pipeline supports the production of gasoline, jet fuel, and other refined products that power the region.
The Great Lakes Economic Forum notes that the regional energy infrastructure—including Line 5—is a linchpin for economic stability and growth. These refineries collectively produce products essential for transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture, underscoring the pipeline’s role in broader regional development.
Right now, with more winter storms bearing down, the focus is on continued safe and reliable operations.
“Our commitment to safety and reliability means we’re delivering energy in a way that meets today’s needs while preparing for the future,” noted Houchard.
“Line 5 is a cornerstone of energy security for Michigan and the surrounding region.”
Up next:
Next week, the Line 5 Newsroom will share a resource guide on propane in Michigan, and report on energy security for Michigan and the region.
