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Your Connection to Pipeline 5

2/17/2022

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​My personal connection is simple. Every summer my grandchildren dip their bodies into Lake Michigan at our cottage on Beaver Island which is 35 miles from Pipeline 5.  The water is clean and beautiful.  Knowledge of the 68-year-old pipeline carrying million of gallons of oil so close to my beach has motivated me. I now know more about the oil industry and the devastating of spills and pollution worldwide than I ever thought.
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What is your Connection?
You know the beauty and sacredness of the Straits of Mackinac if
  • you have crossed the Mackinac Bridge,
  • stood on the shores either north or south,
  • witnessed the counting of raptor birds,
  • attended the “Water is Life”  festival by Council of Three Fires on Labor Day weekend,
  • know that a high risk of devastation violates the Treaty of 1836 by 5 Indigenous Tribes,
  • know that 40 million people drink this water,
  • fished, boated or observed the beautiful nature of these waters,
  • you have dipped your body into these waters,
  • you understand the sacredness of fresh water…because Water is Life, then
you know the danger of an aging pipeline (engineered for 50 years) can impact 20% of the world’s and 95% of U.S. fresh surface water. It travels for 645 miles over 400 inland bodies of water. Pipeline 5 carries 23.5 million gallons of light crude oil, light synthetic crude, and natural gas liquids (NGL) every day to refineries in Sarnia, Canada, with 5-10% going to Michigan. Basically, Pipeline 5 is a shortcut for Canada to get their oil to their refineries for large oil companies to sell and export.

My favorite websites for getting accurate information about Pipeline 5 include  Oil and Water Don’t Mix and FLOW (For Love of Water). You will see different sets of “facts” between the reports of Enbridge Pipeline Company versus those of advocates against the Pipeline 5 and the building of the tunnel. Building the tunnel is a huge question right now, with environmental risks. Always question the intent of the source.

Lately, many ads have been sponsored by oil companies and unions about the jobs and benefits that the “tunnel” will supply. These are short term jobs, and many will be filled by out-of-state workers. An alternative would be jobs building solar arrays, geothermal systems, and wind energy all around the state. These jobs would be ongoing and pay well and be located near every hometown in Michigan. There are alternatives, always.
 
The big picture is that “climate change threatens to destroy the ability of humans to live on Earth.”  Let this sink in, and then decide long-term what is more important – fossil fuels threatening our Great Lakes or reaching out for alternatives.  Make a “connection” that inspires you to take an action!!!
ACTIONS: 
  • Read info on OWDM and FLOW websites about Pipeline 5 to improve your knowledge.
  • Watch this video Motherboard from 9 years ago for background knowledge of Pipeline 5.
  • Understand the connection between Pipeline 5 and climate change.
  • Write a letter to President Biden and sign the petition.  He can help.
  • Write to Senator Debbie Stabenow who currently has not taken a position. She can help.
  • Send a small gift of money to Oil and Water Don’t Mix.  They are front runners in this fight.
  • Stay vigilant with your personal efforts to reduce your use of fossil fuels, propane, and natural gas.
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