A diverse coalition consisting of union workers, farmers, small business owners and forest products companies is showing strong support for a pipeline project in northern Wisconsin that was the subject of a public hearing being held by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on February 2.
The coalition, known as the Wisconsin Jobs and Energy Coalition, announced that supporters of the Enbridge Line 5 relocation project have already submitted over 3,800 comments to the Wisconsin DNR in favor of approving the necessary permits to move the project forward.
The Wisconsin DNR released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 relocation on December 16th, beginning the public comment period. Initiated at the request of a Wisconsin tribe, the $450 million, 41-mile long pipeline project seeks to continue the operation of this vital energy corridor. Moving about 540,000 barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids a day, Line 5 is a critical part of the Upper Midwest’s gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and propane infrastructure.
In addition to being part of the state’s critical energy infrastructure, 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.
Organizations planning to participate in the public hearing to support the project include: Wisconsin Propane Gas Association, APEX, Futurewood, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, Johnson Timber, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, UA Local 11, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Independent Businesses, Wisconsin Paper Council, Hawk Industries, Wisconsin Building Trades Council, Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council, Michels, Wisconsin Pipe Trades, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Operating Engineers Local 139, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Midwest Food Processors Association and Construction Business Group.