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In Michigan, the Line 5 dual pipelines transport 23 million gallons of oil under the Straits of Mackinac, between Lakes Michigan and Huron. Built in 1953, it was only meant to last 50 years and has already spilled at least 1.1 million gallons. Should a spill happen in the Straits, 6.6% of the fresh accessible water on Earth is at risk and all those along the shorelines - including tribal nations with treaty rights promising access to these waters - will be hard hit. After years of activism and organizing, Clean Water Action and allies won a big victory when Governor Whitmer revoked Line 5’s easement under the Straits. Enbridge intends to violate Michigan law to continue operating Line 5 past the May 12th deadline. Their response to the state of Michigan has been misleading ad campaigns, court challenges, engaging Canadian elected officials to lobby on their behalf, and attempting to build a tunnel to "solve" the problem which would keep the dangerous Line 5 pipeline open for years during risky and polluting construction.
You have likely heard about the proposed Line 3 pipeline expansion to bring millions of barrels of tar sands oil per day from Canada, through Minnesota, to shores of Lake Superior in Superior, Wisconsin. Clean Water Action opposes Line 3 because of it threatens our communities, our health, our water, our climate, and our future. There are quite a number of issues related to Line 3, including violations of treaty rights of the Anishinaabe people and other nations in its path. The pipeline will having the same lifetime climate impact of 50 new coal fired plant even as forecasts predict a lack of demand. Camps for workers constructing the pipeline risk the well being of the Indigenous communities with increased crime, particularly directed towards women. Finally, despite safety assurances, the pipeline owner Enbridge has a history of inland oil spills: 1.7 million gallons from the current Line 3 in Minnesota in 1991. 1 million gallons into the Kalamazoo river in Michigan in 2010. All of this risk for Canadian fossil fuel profit is unacceptable.
The Dakota Access Pipeline project would extend across North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois, crossing through communities, farms, tribal land, sensitive natural areas and wildlife habitat. The pipeline crosses the Missouri River, the primary drinking water source for the Standing Rock Sioux, and leading to the protests beginning in 2016 that continue today. In January a court ruled against then the decision by then President Trump's administration that allowed for the Dakota Access’s construction, and determined that the Army Corps of Engineers should have studied the environmental impact statement before the pipeline was allowed to move forward.
President Biden can show that the White House values the health of our environment, water, communities, and climate more than fossil fuel industry profit by directing the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a thorough National Environmental Policy Act analysis and Environmental Impact Statement on existing and proposed oil pipeline projects, including Line 3, DAPL, and Line 5. This analysis must include the potential for oil spills, risk to our climate, and impacts on tribal communities - and project construction or pipeline operation should not continue until a thorough review is conducted.
Shutting down these pipelines are critically important to moving our country forward on the path of environmental, climate, and social justice.We need to build back fossil free to protect our families, our environment, and our future.
Help by taking action now.
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