Throughout the summer, Enbridge has violated their permits multiple times, caused the largest pipeline rupture in Wisconsin’s history, and constructed an illegal “bypass” due to their eagerness to keep the oil flowing through Line 5. Their pattern of bad behavior requires action. Yesterday, the Bad River Band declared an emergency and urged state leaders to step in.
Call Governor Evers and the DNR and demand they revoke the Line 5 permits.
Governor Evers: (608) 266-1212 Secretary Hyun: (608) 266-2252 Ask: Revoke Enbridge’s Line 5 permits immediately! (Full script below) | Tell us about your calls here and |
The past few weeks have been filled with a flurry of activity – good and bad. In late August at an Enbridge work site an unoccupied semi truck rolled into an exposed section of Line 5 and ruptured it, releasing over one million gallons of natural gas liquids. Billowing white gas covered the site and led to nearby evacuations. Since then the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has sent two letters to Enbridge highlighting their concerns with issues of noncompliance and numerous drilling failures, not to mention Enbridge building an unpermitted new section of pipeline to get Line 5 running again.
Condition 11 of the Line 5 Reroute permit allows the DNR to modify or revoke the permit for good cause, including failure to comply with permit requirements. The Department has already acknowledged "other noncompliance events" that have been "immensely frustrating." When a permittee repeatedly fails to comply with permit conditions, the Department has both the authority and responsibility to consider whether continued authorization remains appropriate.
Some good news- On September 9, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to Enbridge opposing Line 5 oil in the Great Lakes, calling the tunnel project portion of Line 5 "untenable." She called on Enbridge to get its pipelines out of the Great Lakes within months.
This is exactly the kind of leadership we need here in Wisconsin. Join us in calling on Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DNR to revoke Line 5 permits.
Make the call today.
Governor Evers: Call 608-266-1212. Press 1 when instructed to leave a message.
DNR Secretary Hyun: Call (608) 266-2252.
Message:
My name is _____ and I am calling about the Line 5 pipeline in Northern Wisconsin. Please revoke and terminate all permits for Enbridge’s Line 5 relocation project near Bad River. The Wisconsin DNR can end permits when activities could “endanger human health or the environment.” The recent catastrophic spill in Iron County, in combination with Enbridge's inability to comply with permit conditions and disregard for DNR requests regarding unapproved “bypass” construction, show that Enbridge cannot be trusted to protect us or meet their obligations. Please be a champion of the people, like leadership in MI, and use your authority to revoke Line 5 Reroute permits immediately. Thank you.
Once you’ve made your call(s) you can let us know how they went by inputting the result here. Watch the number above grow!
Can’t make the call? Email the Governor and Secretary Hyun here.