Who needs a red suit to deliver holiday fun and warmth

Dec. 20, 2020

Line 5 plays a key part in the holidays

It’s no secret that Santa is busy planning year round to deliver December cheer.

While Santa and the elves are hard at work in the North Pole getting ready for Christmas, Michigan has its own largely unseen helper that also works year round.

The natural gas liquids (NGLs) and light crude transported through Enbridge’s Line 5 are essential to manufacturing the toys, clothing, dolls, snow saucers, boots, phones, kayaks, and many other gifts that traditionally dot the holiday season.

“While some recognize Line 5 as the source for providing propane to heat their home or oven to bake the cookies, few recognize the critical role it plays in manufacturing,” shares Bob Lehto, Enbridge area operations manager for northern Michigan. “Refineries in a five-state area rely on Line 5 to transport reliably the propane, butane and ethane essential to producing not only gasoline and diesel, but also in the manufacture of thousands of items—from brightly colored building blocks to bicycles, lip gloss, and winter jackets. Line 5 helps make it possible.”

To help ensure the area’s residents and businesses can continue to rely on Line 5, Enbridge monitors operations 24/7 and regularly inspects Line 5. In summer 2020, Enbridge also opened the Enbridge Straits Maritime Operations Center (ESMOC).

Staffed round-the-clock, ESMOC serves as the “nerve center” for a suite of waterway safety systems Enbridge put in place to help prevent an anchor strike on the dual pipelines in the Straits. While ESMOC—complete with cameras and a warning communication system—provides another technologically advanced way to enhance safety in the near-term, Lehto emphasizes that the Great Lakes Tunnel remains the most viable long-term option.

“The Great Lakes Tunnel will house the dual pipelines under the lakebed and virtually eliminate the chance of an anchor strike, making it the best long-term solution to enhancing safeguards in the Straits,” says Lehto.

“We are committed to continuing the safe and reliable operation of Line 5, because our communities depend on Line 5. We are proud that Line 5 helps produce many of the things on which we rely every day, including the phones and computers that will help connect families during this year’s holiday season. Have a safe and healthy holiday!”