To the Journal editor:

In June, Enbridge was fined $6.7 million for EPA safety violations, defied Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by restarting Line 5 after damage shut it down and now refuses to provide Department of Natural Resources with proof of insurance against an oil spill. Words have no effect on Enbridge.

At the 2018 anchor strike hearing, PHMSA’s administrator called the Straits of Mackinac the worst place in the U.S. for an oil pipeline. Record high water levels wreaking havoc on shorelines are also at work in the straits bottleneck.

Damage to a remedial support caused the recent shutdown of Line 5. When and how the damage occurred is unknown. One leg of Line 5 somehow shifted and remains shutdown; the other resumed operation.

Enbridge speculates that another anchor strike caused the damage, despite their preventative measures. An independent assessment of all 195 supports and the whole line is needed.

Gov. Whitmer promised to protect the Great Lakes. She can and must revoke the 1953 Easement because it requires prudent and safe pipeline operation. We cannot allow an oil company to call the shots. We need more than words from the governor.

BARBARA STAMIRIS

Traverse City