City new ally for Line 5 opponents

Bringing their persuasive arguments before the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission on Monday evening, those opposed to Enbridge’s Line 5 — pumping light crude oil and natural gas under the Straits of Mackinac — gained another partner in their efforts as the commission unanimously approved a resolution calling on Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette to shut the underwater line down.

Joanne Cromley of Cheboygan was the first public speaker calling for city officials to join more than 50 other local governmental entities in supporting the removal of the pipe line from the Great Lakes.

“It’s easier to protect them,” she said of the non-partisan effort on behalf of civic responsibility, “rather than a restoration and clean-up effort after a spill.”

Those opposed to Line 5 were seemingly not limited by their passion but by limits placed on their time for speaking, leaving a number of presentations unfinished.

But even the incomplete messages were clear.

Vincent Lumetta, a retired engineer who had spent his working years with Chrysler, categorized Line 5 as a vintage piece of infrastructure that would never be approved in this day and age.

David Dwyer came up from Mackinaw City to question the commission’s resolution calling for the line to be shut down if state and federal regulators felt it was unsafe. He argued that should be changed to say it should be shut down until state and federal officials determine it is safe.

Richard Lewis of the Sault echoed those sentiments, calling for the commission to take swift action.

Joe Calcaterra was the lone speaker to testify on behalf of Enbridge and delivered a large folder to each one of the commissioners to support his position.

He described the pipeline as a true feat of engineering when it was constructed in 1953 and referred to the ongoing inspections for corrosion, dents, deformation and cracking to ensure there are no spills. He also added the flow is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the control center and the line can be shut down in approximately three minutes in the event of a leak.

Leslie Dobbertin, giving voice to a letter written by Diane and Carl Meyer, pointed to another Enbridge line that had ruptured spilling into the Kalamazoo River and she added that more than $1 billion has been spent to clean it up yet it will never be the same.

“It’s obvious we are playing Russian Roulette with the Great Lakes,” she said of allowing Line 5 to remain.

Anthony Trayser of Mackinac Island called on the commission to listen to those who are living at “Ground Zero” in the event of a spill and was joined by Ann Marie Askwith, Danielle King and Phil Bellfy providing similar opposition to the underwater transmission line.

“If that thing breaks, we cannot recover the oil,” said Bellfy, “and it could foul 800 miles of shoreline.”

Sault Tribal Chairperson Aaron Payment was the last to speak, saying his people have fished these water since the time of Jesus Christ and that is now in danger.

“Everything we know about this tells us a spill is imminent,” said Payment.

He also cautioned the city commission to avoid being taken in by corporate donations from Enbridge designed to quiet opposition.

“Don’t be bought off by a few trinkets and some shiny beads or gold,” he concluded. “We fell for that.”

Seemingly convinced, the commissioners passed a resolution even stronger than the one initially up for consideration.

“I think it’s important we do something tonight,” said Mayor Anthony Bosbous. “I think there is enough urgency.”

Commissioner Kathy Twardy provided a similar assessment: “I don’t think this is a circumstance where we can say ‘should,’ ‘woulda,’ ‘coulda.’”

Commissioner Jay Gage was at the ready with a proposed amendment to support bills H.R. 182 and C.R. 15 calling for the immediate shutdown of Line 5.

It was unanimously approved, prompting loud applause by those in attendance.