PEWAUKEE, Wis – A group of local citizens, labor leaders, business leaders, and tribal members gathered at the Operating Engineers Local 139 on Wednesday to show their support for the $450 million proposed Line 5 relocation project in Ashland, Bayfield and Iron Counties. Participants in the event organized by the Wisconsin Jobs and Energy Coalition also took the opportunity to show their support by signing a pipeline similar to the one to be used on the proposed project.
The relocation project, which is estimated to create over 700 Wisconsin construction jobs, is currently being reviewed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Supporters at Wednesday’s event heard from elected officials, business, labor, and tribal leaders on the economic need for the relocation project and why pipelines are the safest way to transport the energy our state, region and nation need to power our economy and ensure our quality of life.
Terry McGowan, President and Business Manager for the Operating Engineers Local 139, stated, “The Line 5 relocation project will be completed safely and with the least environmental impact possible because our union workers not only receive the best training in the world, but they call Wisconsin home. It’s time for the Line 5 project to move forward.”
“The energy provided by Line 5 not only impacts Northern Wisconsin, but also our part of the state. Our state’s families, farmers and small business owners rely on access to affordable energy to raise their children, get to work and transport the goods we all use every day. Pipelines move this energy in the safest and most efficient way possible, and that’s why pipelines like Line 5 must continue to operate,” stated Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow.
“Native communities rely heavily on the energy Line 5 supplies – especially propane,” said Kim Kastern, small business owner and Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribal member. “Enbridge has gone above and beyond in working with tribal businesses like ours and providing job opportunities for tribal members with their commitment of allocating $50 million of the Line 5 relocation project budget to native-owned businesses and training tribal members to work on the project.”
“Propane provides heat for over 280,000 Wisconsin households, and thousands of farms and businesses. Line 5 is a vital part of our regional propane supply chain, and if Line 5 were to shut down, our state’s propane supply could be plunged to emergency levels,” stated Cheryl Lytle, executive director of the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association. “Line 5 must keep operating or all those who depend on propane risk being left out in the cold during our long Wisconsin winters.”
“Energy impacts every step of the manufacturing process – from production to delivery. When energy prices increase, we see negative impacts to our state’s job market and our family budgets,” said Scott Suder, President of the Wisconsin Paper Council. “Pipelines like Line 5 are the most affordable and environmentally safe way to move the energy Wisconsin – and especially our paper and forest products industry – needs to thrive.”
Banners flanked the 34-foot pipe that highlighted these key pipeline facts:
- Pipelines have a 99.99% safety record
- Shutting pipelines like Line 5 would dramatically increase gas and diesel prices in the region
- Line 5 is major supplier of Midwest propone used to heat homes, cook food and dry crops
- Pipeline projects provide good paying jobs and boost local economies
In addition to being the safest way to carry Wisconsin’s critical energy supply, an independent economic impact study estimated the Line 5 relocation project would add $135 million to Wisconsin’s economic output, increase state tax revenues by millions and support more than 1,000 jobs in the State of Wisconsin. Enbridge has signed a letter of intent with Wisconsin-based Michels Pipeline, Inc. as the mainline contractor for the project, and a Project Labor Agreement was signed last year with the Laborers International Union of North America, International Union of Operating Engineers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.
The event in Pewaukee is part of a three-day, four-city swing this week for the Safest Way Tour. Other stops this week include Baraboo, Madison and Brownsville. In its second year, the Safest Way Tour has made over 20 stops, with more than 1,600 people participating in the tour. You can learn more about the Safest Way Tour at safestwaywi.com.
