Today on Stateside, recent developments with Enbridge’s Line 5 have lead Attorney General Dana Nessel to ask for a temporarily halt of operations. Tribes who live and work around the Great Lakes have had an eye on this for years. Also, Michigan’s legislators have announced funding plans for reopening K-12 schools. What will that look like? Plus, what to expect when you’re expecting to travel this summer.
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Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below.
Tribes, AG in step asking for Line 5 shutdown
- Aaron Payment is the tribe chairperson for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
- Enbridge issued a statement to Stateside, which can be found at the bottom of this post.
Summer travel? If you go, here’s what to expect
- Debbie Haas is the Vice President of Travel for AAA Michigan
- Angela Frakes is the Vice President of Facilities and Terminal Operations at Detroit Metro Airport
Superintendents hoping for flexibility, additional funding as lawmakers lay out plans for a return to school
- Rick Pluta is the Capitol Bureau Chief for Michigan Public Radio
- Dr. Glenn Maleyko is superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools
The following is a statement on Line 5 issued by Enbridge. Enbridge is a corporate sponsor of Michigan Radio.
"Enbridge believes the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction sought by the Attorney General of Michigan is legally unsupportable, unnecessary, and will be vigorously opposed by Enbridge.
"Enbridge understands the importance of the Great Lakes to the State and the need to protect the Straits, the environment and people. As part of its thorough maintenance and inspection program, Enbridge first noted a disturbance to an anchor support on the east leg last Thursday and immediately shut down both legs of the Line 5 dual pipelines crossing the Straits of Mackinac as a precautionary measure. The east leg pipeline remains shut down, while the west leg was restarted after a thorough review and consultation with our safety regulator.
“'We have been working very closely with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), to ensure it is able to assess the safety of the dual pipelines. This included informing them of our completion of Remote Operated Vehicle inspections of the west leg of the line, which confirmed there was no mechanical damage to the pipeline or any support-anchors. We have also provided engineering assessments and other materials to State officials.' said Vern Yu, Enbridge’s Executive Vice-President and President, Liquids Pipelines. 'We continue to work with PHMSA to answer their questions about our assessments of the dual pipelines.'
"Line 5 is a critical source of 540,000 barrels per day of propane and crude oil supply for Michigan and surrounding areas that make up the regional supply network for the State, producing transportation fuels and consumer goods. Line 5 has operated reliably and safely in the Straits since 1953 and continues to do so today."
