Madison, Wis – The Wisconsin Jobs and Energy Coalition, which consists of most of the state’s leading construction labor unions, business groups and agricultural organizations, applauded the long-awaited release of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Line 5 Relocation Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The report, which is necessary to move forward with the permitting process to complete the Line 5 relocation project in Bayfield, Ashland and Iron Counties, follows an extensive review process that began in February of 2020, and included the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in December of 2021.
More than 11,500 Wisconsinites submitted comments urging the DNR to approve the project during a four-month DEIS public comment period in early 2022. An analysis of the comments, which were made public by the DNR, showed that by a 2-to-1 margin Wisconsinites supported the Line 5 relocation project. The project is estimated to create over 700 Wisconsin union construction jobs, pump $135 million into the local economy, and generate millions in additional state and local tax revenue.
“The Line 5 relocation project is a win for Wisconsin workers, Wisconsin families and the Wisconsin economy,” said Emily Pritzkow, executive director of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council. “Not only will the project create 700 union construction jobs, but it will ensure the energy our state’s families and economy need to survive continues to flow.”
Line 5 is unique because it not only moves crude oil that is refined into transportation fuels, but it also transports natural gas liquids that are made into propane. In fact, a public comment submitted to the DNR by major propane supplier Plains Midstream sent a critical warning that a rejection of the Line 5 relocation project would likely send Wisconsin into a propane state of emergency, leading to supply shortages and massive price increases.
“Line 5 is a critical component of the regional propane gas infrastructure,” said Cheryl Lytle, executive director of the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association. “Without the Line 5 relocation project, 280,000 Wisconsin households, farms and businesses that depend on propane would see supply shortages and price increases. Wisconsin’s propane suppliers are thankful to see the Wisconsin DNR move this important project forward.”
Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Brad Olson added, “Wisconsin farmers use the propane made possible by Line 5 to heat our homes, keep livestock warm and dry crops. Farming requires a lot of energy and shuttering Line 5 would be a blow to Wisconsin’s agricultural economy. After four years of waiting, we are pleased to see the Wisconsin DNR take a step towards approving this critical project.”
“Wisconsin’s small businesses depend on access to affordable energy to heat their businesses, transport products to consumers, and harvest and manufacture the goods and food Wisconsin families need to survive,” commented Brian Dake, president of Wisconsin Independent Businesses. “Without the Line 5 relocation project our state’s small businesses would be cut off from this critical source of energy, driving up the cost to do business and causing consumer prices to increase.”
During the DEIS public comment period held in early 2022, over two dozen of Wisconsin’s leading organizations representing farmers, small businesses, labor unions and papermakers submitted comments in favor of the relocation project. Those groups included the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Propane Gas Association, Wisconsin Building Trades Council, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Independent Businesses, Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Wisconsin Paper Council, Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, Wisconsin Pipe Trades, Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association, Cooperative Network, Dairy Business Alliance, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, Building Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin, Construction Business Group, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, Midwest Food Processors Association, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council and Teamsters Local 346.
Line 5’s owner, Enbridge, has signed a letter of intent with Wisconsin-based Michels Pipeline, Inc. as the mainline contractor for the project, and a Project Labor Agreement has been signed with the Laborers International Union of North America, International Union of Operating Engineers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. Enbridge has also committed to spending more than 10 percent of the $450 million budget for the project with Native-owned businesses, including the training and hiring of tribal members.
