Jason Margerum
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Thank Governor DeWine for Standing Up for Pipeliners
Governor Mike DeWine has signed Senate Bill 33, which protects critical infrastructure, like the oil and gas pipelines that we construct, from pipeline protestors. More than a dozen states have passed similar bills in the past several years, as opposition demonstrations have continued to center on energy facilities.
Sign the letter below to Governor DeWine, and thank him for his support of the pipeline industry.
Dear Governor DeWine,
I am grateful that your administration demonstrated support for the pipeline industry by signing Senate Bill 33 into law.
The facilities that are often targeted by such actions highlighted in SB 33 provide essential energy, communications and other vital services and products to the entire state of Ohio and, in some cases, the country, as several sections of national critical infrastructure cross our state.
This bill is important to the work our nation's industry craftsmen do, as they tirelessly construct safe and efficient pipelines to meet the needs of communities across Ohio and the nation. Local 798 members and other workers will benefit from this protective measure for years to come as they work on important pieces of energy infrastructure that serve residents in Ohio and around the country.
Thank you for creating a new civil cause of action for willfully causing damage to critical infrastructure facilities and providing for increased fines on groups complicit in such offenses.
Pipeliners know first-hand how environmental protests over pipelines and other installations negatively impact the work they do and their livelihood. This is why I thank you for the support of this industry and protecting the infrastructure our nation's craftsmen work so hard to build.
Sincerely,
American Energy Industry Supporter
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Sign Our Letter to Governor Walz
After six years of proposals, protests and legal challenges, Enbridge has secured the last permits needed from state and federal governments to finish constructing the Line 3 pipeline, bringing the project a step closer to construction.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been criticized by both supporters and opponents of the project for his administration’s handling of the permitting issue. Join Local 798 in thanking his administration for helping to put pipeliners back to work in Minnesota!
Dear Governor Walz,
I am grateful that your administration issued the final state permits necessary to initiate construction on Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project, bringing the project another step closer to construction.
The decision by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to issue a Section 401 water quality certification under the Clean Water Act for the project, as well as a wastewater permit and an approval for an air emissions cap, is based on sound science and strikes the balance between protecting natural resources and allowing reasonable development. The MPCA’s thorough analysis ensures that necessary safeguards are in place to protect Minnesota’s waters. Notably, the 401 certification requires Enbridge to meet Minnesota’s extensive water quality standards instead of lower federal standards.
Line 3 is an opportunity for Minnesota to welcome a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project at no cost to the taxpayers. This project will protect Minnesota’s environment, grow its economy, and put laborers across the state back to work. As a supporter of pipeliners who are well trained and experienced in safe pipeline construction, I appreciate your administration’s willingness to end the obstruction and continue moving toward Minnesota’s energy future.
This economic lifeline will put hundreds of pipeliners back to work, safely bring Line 3 back up to original capacity to meet the energy needs of homeowners and businesses and generate critical tax revenue in each county the project intersects, while providing a multi-billion-dollar boost to the regional economy.
The people of Minnesota deserve the tremendous economic and energy benefits associated with this critical infrastructure project. This is why I support Line 3 and thank your administration for issuing the final approvals necessary to start construction.
Signed,
Line 3 Replacement Project Supporter
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Tell the Whitmer Administration You Support Line 5
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) extended its review of Enbridge Energy’s permit applications to build Line 5 until January 2021. The extension agreed to by Enbridge is due to the EGLE’s review of 2,800 comments submitted to the department, along with around 400 comments given verbally during public meetings – many submitted by Local 798 members and advocates.
The extension comes soon after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Enbridge to shut down Line 5 due to allegations of easement violations and environmental concerns. Gov. Whitmer gave Enbridge until May 2021 to shut it down - before the project would be finished. In response, Enbridge sued the state, stating the easement revocation violates the U.S. Constitution and asked a federal judge to block the order.
Join Local 798, and sign the letter to Governor Whitmer sharing that you are concerned about playing politics with the energy needs and anxieties of U.S. consumers and businesses that depend on Line 5.
Dear Governor Whitmer:
I continue to stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in support of Enbridge’s Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project. Shutting down the replacement of Line 5, a $500 million private investment, puts Michigan’s energy and economic future at serious risk as a result of a major disruption of the state's energy supply.
The concerns raised by your administration regarding Line 5 focus on the threat of an oil spill in the Straits and how that would harm the economy, environment and enjoyment of the Great Lakes. However, Enbridge continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining a high level of safety, including the diligent 24/7 monitoring of the Straits crossing, regular inspections and operating the line at less than 25 percent of its maximum design capabilities to minimize stress on the pipeline steel and enhance safety. Also, Enbridge has a proactive inspection program to monitor the fitness of Line 5. This includes evaluating every inch of the pipeline interior every five years using in-line inspection tools that provide detail on par with MRIs in the medical industry. Preventing this project from moving forward in light of all these protections is harmful to Michigan's energy and economic future.
In 2018 alone, Enbridge paid nearly $8 million in base salary to Michigan employees and approximately $60 million in property taxes in the state for its energy infrastructure projects, which was then invested in schools, roads and bridges and other important public services. Line 5 will create many good paying construction jobs, secure access to reliable energy for businesses and homes across the state, and generate significant economic activity in the project area.
The company has previously entered into agreements with the state of Michigan, outlining actions Enbridge is taking to protect the state’s water bodies within the project footprint, including implementing additional safety measures to mitigate impacts and overall increased coordination with the state regarding operations and maintenance of Line 5. Enbridge also entered into a subsequent agreement with the state that puts in place enhanced inspection and operations protocols for the project.
Enbridge continues to address concerns raised by environmentalists and government officials in regards to the safety of Line 5 and has demonstrated a clear plan to finish construction by 2021 in order to safely and efficiently deliver energy to homes and businesses across the state. This is why I am concerned your administration continues to play politics with the employment opportunities for union workers and the energy needs of U.S. consumers and businesses that depend on Line 5.
Signed,
Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project Supporter
**Local 798 may submit your name to other local and state decision makers in support of Line 5.**
Jason Margerum 1038sc