Karen Weaver's Fight for Clean Water November 2017 | Page 43

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS
Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems of Calgary was hired by the State of
Michigan to do a risk assessment on Line 5. Dynamic Risk said when they
started doing this study for the State of Michigan, they stopped working for
Enbridge. Several alternatives including a total decommission of Line 5 were
proposed but Dynamic Risk found that many of the alternatives being discussed
were “unworkable”, including using other oil pipelines, tanker trucks, or oil
barges. Shipping oil by train and constructing new pipelines away from the Great
Lakes were could be feasible, but come with a price tag of billions of dollars.
Costs that would-be on Enbridge, not Michigan.
Michigan bears all the risk of a catastrophic spill, while gaining little benefit. Age
65 is retirement age for many. Line 5 has reached its retirement age. Many are
calling for a shutdown of Line 5, NOW! A vigil is planned at the State Capitol on
November 10 from noon to 3pm. It’s an opportunity for the concerned citizens of
Michigan to let our lawmakers know, it is their responsibility to protect our
waters for all of us. Water is life and clean, fresh water will exceed the value of
oil in the coming years.