Prepare to Vote: Enbridge Line 5 and the Candidates for Michigan Governor
What’s the future of Line 5 under different potential governor’s administrations?
Other WDET Conversations and Reporting about Enbridge Line 5:
New Report Raises Questions About Snyder Administration Relationship with Line 5 Operator
Is Michigan’s Line 5 Deal with Enbridge Enough to Protect the Great Lakes?
Energy Chief Says Enbridge Downplayed Damage to Line 5 Safety Coating
The DJC reporters asked about policies and platforms on the Great Lakes and Line 5. Here’s how the candidates answered:
Republican Candidates
Brian Calley said a tunnel would be a “logical approach” to keeping the pipeline but minimizing its dangers. “What are the feasible alternatives? You still have to move the fuel. Moving it by truck is worse. There are more risks involved with that as opposed to a pipeline,” he said.
Patrick Colbeck said pipelines are the most efficient way to move fluids including oil. “Now having said that, you’ve got to make sure you’re maintaining the pipe. And you’ve got to protect it. And so I appreciate some of the discussions around protecting the pipeline either by burying it or putting a little shroud on the outside of it,” he said.
Jim Hines said he would break party ranks and work to close the pipeline. “I think the first thing we have to decide is, ‘Yes, we’re going to decommission it.’ How are we going to transport oil and so forth? That’s the second question. But the first question is how do we protect the Great Lakes and, in turn, protect the citizens of the state,” he said.
Bill Schuette
Bill Schuette declined the Detroit Journalism Cooperative’s request for a video interview, citing scheduling interviews. Click HERE to learn more about him and WDET’s coverage of his campaign. DJC partner Bridge Magazine had THIS REPORT about what Schuette has said and done related to Line 5.
Democratic Candidates
Abdul El-Sayed said shutting down Line 5 would be a priority for him as governor. “This is the kind of conversation we can’t keep dilly-dallying about,” he said. “You’ve got these other folks proposing study groups and working groups — no. Shut it down and then let’s figure out what we do on the back end. But right now, we’ve got a ticking time bomb.”
Shri Thanedar, calling it a “ticking time bomb,” said he would shut down Line 5. “The coating on it has gone bad,” he said. “if that line ever breaks and the Great Lakes get contaminated, you’re looking at somewhere around $6 billion of cleanup cost. And we certainly do not want another disaster like Flint in the State of Michigan.”
Gretchen Whitmer said she would be committed to pursuing legal action, if necessary, to close the pipeline. “We will be up against a company that has millions and millions of reasons to delay and keep that in there as long as they can,” she said. “We cannot wait. And we can’t wait for a tunnel to be built either. We have to get the threat out of the water now or as quickly as legally possible.”
Other Issues
Find out what the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial candidates think about transit, transparency, marijuana, auto insurance and redistricting.
