April 5, 2022
Whitmer, Nessel Push to Close Line 5 at Odds with Biden Agenda
Lansing, Mich., April 5, 2022 – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel apparently missed the memo. Their continued push to shut down the Line 5 pipeline – which carries 540,000 barrels of oil per day – as the Biden Administration does an about face and is now looking for ways to increase oil imports from Canada after promoting policies which reduced them. The Wall Street Journal reports:
“Biden administration officials are seeking ways to boost oil imports from Canada, people familiar with the situation say, but with one big caveat—they don’t want to resurrect the Keystone XL pipeline that President Biden effectively killed on his first day in office.
The people said deliberations are in early stages and that no clear-cut solutions have emerged.
Canada could export some more oil via rail, according to analysts and others familiar with the situation, and it could also pump more oil by increasing pressure on existing lines or by installing larger pipelines along permitted routes.”
Enbridge’s Mainline system, which carries a total of 2.85 million barrels per day, is currently operating at full capacity. Should Whitmer and Nessel prevail in their attempts to shut down Line 5, the added reliance on rail transport for oil would increase the risk of a spill in the Great Lakes, and Michiganders could expect to pay between $1.8 to $2.2 billion more in energy costs per year. The drastic increase would result in Michigan families paying even more at the pump and to heat their homes.
“While the Biden Administration is desperately trying to undo the damage caused by their anti-American energy policies, Whitmer and Nessel are continuing their push to take over 540,000 barrels per day off the market,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “Americans will continue to pay the price for Democrats’ disastrous policies.”