The Department of Natural Resources is calling on Canadian oil giant Enbridge to immediately halt construction of a bypass around a broken section of its Line 5 pipeline in Iron County. The company broke the line on August 25th, spilling 1.3 million gallons of liquid natural gas and other chemicals. It is the largest reported oil and gas pipeline spill in state history.
“Enbridge has continued to add to the growing list of environmental concerns and violations, demonstrating disregard for the environment, human health, and the statutory authority of the department,” wrote DNR secretary Karen Hyun, PhD, in a scathing letter to the company yesterday. “Based on this pattern of noncompliance demonstrated by Enbridge, my concern over the environmental impacts of Enbridge’s activities over the past weeks has only heightened.”
Clean Wisconsin attorney Evan Feinauer says the letter is unusual and should cause real concern about Enbridge’s activities in the Northwoods.
“This letter is alarming. You just don’t typically see a DNR Secretary speak in these terms,” says Feinauer. “It’s clear the Department is incredibly frustrated and concerned by Enbridge’s actions, which appear to be illegal. According to the DNR, Enbridge is rushing to start construction on a temporary bypass of the broken section of its pipeline, and it’s doing this work without the required permits and approvals needed to protect our environment.”
The extent of environmental and heath harms caused by the spill remain unclear.
