By Blake Jackson
Over 14,000 individuals and organizations have voiced their support for the relocation of a portion of the Line 5 pipeline in Wisconsin.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing the project, and the public comment period is ongoing.
The Wisconsin Jobs and Energy Coalition organized a petition in response to the Army Corps' release of the Line 5 relocation project Draft Environmental Assessment in May.
The petition garnered support from over 11,500 Wisconsinites and numerous leading organizations representing various sectors.
The Wisconsin Ag Coalition, which includes influential agricultural groups like the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, submitted a letter to the Army Corps in support of the project.
They emphasized the critical role of propane in the state's agriculture sector. Propane is used for heating homes, barns, livestock, and powering farm equipment.
The coalition expressed concerns about the potential impact on propane supply and pricing if the relocation is not approved.
Chad Zuleger, representing the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association, “Wisconsin’s farmers depend on the affordable propane, gas and diesel made possible by Line 5.
Without Line 5 there is little doubt that Wisconsin’s consumers would see higher food prices at the checkout line.”
The Line 5 relocation project is estimated to create over 700 union construction jobs in Wisconsin, boost the local economy by $135 million, and generate significant tax revenue. Enbridge, the owner of Line 5, has partnered with Wisconsin-based Michels Pipeline, Inc. for the project, and a Project Labor Agreement has been signed with several labor unions.
“Wisconsin’s trades men and women have been waiting patiently for over four years to begin work on the Line 5 relocation,” said Corey Gall, President of the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association. “This project will bring with it 700 Wisconsin union construction jobs – the kind of jobs that sustain families and build communities. And the work will be done the best trained, and safest, workers on the planet.”
Enbridge has pledged to allocate a portion of the project budget to Native-owned businesses and provide training and hiring opportunities for tribal members.
Pat Nemec, a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa and a business owner, supports the project and its potential economic benefits for the region and her tribe.
Photo Credit: flickr-maureen
Categories: Wisconsin, Energy