To the Journal editor:

Consider this: A parsimonious adaptation to Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project.

Line 5A (above the straits) would become a propane only pipeline.

The fractionating facility in Superior, Wis., would separate the propane and send that to existing storage tanks in Rapid  River via existing pipeline.

These tanks could be expanded to take advantage of cost averaging (which good corporate neighbor Enbridge could pass along as savings to customers).

Line 5A could be extended eastward the short distance (50 miles or so) to the Kincheloe area. This would supply all the propane needed for heating by Upper Peninsula residents. 

There would be no twin pipelines or tunnel under the straits. Even expanding the storage at Rapid River, extending the pipeline to Kincheloe and expanding existing storage there, would be a fraction of the $500-600 million earmarked for this tunnel.

Enbridge could use some of this savings to upgrade south flowing lines 61, and 6 and 14 and 64 to Chicago (skirting Lake Michigan).

Line 5B (below the straits) could be still be used to transport oil and gas production from the northern lower penninsula.

Its product would still move to Lower Michigan and Sarnia, Ontario. One of the many lines flowing east out of the hub near Chicago is Line 78,  relatively new and reportedly with possible excess unused capacity.  

This would be a triple win:         

≤ Enbridge has continuing access to markets downstate for its petroleum products as well as money to upgrade its aging pipelines.

≤ Upper Peninsula residents have all the propane needed for home heating.

≤ The Great Lakes are no longer at risk of negligent or … catastrophic damage.