To the Journal editor:

A recent opinion piece highlighted one factually important point: Enbridge’s Line 5 is the “most critical issue in the neighborhood.”

Many neighborhoods rely on Line 5 to transport safely each day the light crude oil on which refineries in Michigan, four other states and two of Canada’s largest provinces rely. Thousands of workers produce the fuel that keeps us moving — on the ground and in the air.

The fuel is vital to the system that delivers food, medical supplies, household products, and thousands of other items.

Farming and other agricultural activities, packaging and health care — including diagnostic equipment and medicines — also rely on product from Line 5, as does the manufacture of 6,000 everyday items — including shampoo, eyewear, and toothpaste.

Without Enbridge Line 5, consumers would incur the rippling impacts on propane and gas prices and supply — a fact supported by numerous studies and common sense.

For 69 years, Line 5 has operated safely. Like any piece of infrastructure, Line 5 was not built with an expiration date, it was built to stand the test of time.

To continue safe operation of Line 5, Enbridge is preparing to construct the Great Lakes Tunnel — supported by more than 70 percent of Michiganders.

Placed deep below the lakebed, the Great Lakes Tunnel will house a replacement section of Line 5. This will remove the pipeline itself from the water, eliminate the chance of an anchor strike to Line 5 and virtually eliminate a leak from ever impacting the Straits of Mackinac.

Construction of the Tunnel will enable the region’s many neighborhoods to continue to receive the fuel and energy on which they rely while strengthening environmental measures that continue to protect the Straits.

Sincerely,

PAUL MENEGHINI

Enbridge Community

Engagement Manager

Escanaba