MPSC votes to "reopen the record" on Line-5 tunnel plans; Enbridge must address safety and engineering concerns.
Hey guys! Today at 1:30, I’ll be live-tweeting today’s Michigan Public Service Commission meeting for #DETdocumenters @media_outlier @Detour_Detroit @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @BridgeDet313 @DetDocumenters
11:51 AM Jul 7, 2022 CDT
Find something inaccurate? Email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request”.
Watch along or find more info here: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/july-7-2022-commission-meeting-4157/
Unfortunately I have not been able to find many of these cases posted in advance. They might be available after the meeting. (2 of 2) https://t.co/aYgtlh8MKy
However, I have been able to find this case on establishing “the method and avoided cost calculation” for DTE https://mi-psc.force.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/0688y0000034WekAAE https://t.co/dGytjXTYJu
Background on the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act: https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/regulatory/electricity/renewable-energy/purpa https://t.co/4A85QQrNWt
If you’re curious, you can check out this “Avoided Cost Fact Sheet” published by the MPSC on Jan 20th, 2022 which has the cases for each utility: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mpsc/consumer/info/tips/Avoided_Cost_Fact_Sheet.pdf?rev=46b7078b630e4c78b391410284da19f2 https://t.co/iFww45fKxV
This Consumers Energy case is available online too. This document is 23 pages so this is only the first few pages btw : https://mi-psc.force.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/0688y000003DC00AAG https://t.co/p8CeimsTkW
Here’s some more information about a complaint by Michigan Agriculture Commodities (1 of 2) https://mi-psc.force.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/0688y000002tHjTAAU https://t.co/03E8QztJz1
More about “power cost recovery plans” https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(qbzosk2d1mqmkmxwp3bu2vac))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-460-6j.pdf https://t.co/v3o2uf6sCt
This could be important: This application regarding replacing and relocating of Line 5 crossing the straits of Mackinac into a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. https://t.co/ax4P44uFRJ
A statement from “For Love of Water” regarding the Line 5 case: https://mi-psc.force.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/0688y000003SN3TAAW https://t.co/9rYGK4NpRd
A commissioner highlighted “requests for public input on both of the proposed updates to the IRP planning parameters in disorder and the ITP filing requirements” in order 18461 approved earlier in the agenda https://t.co/zoLeBfGXUQ
Now we’re going into Line 5. Didn’t catch who is presenting this information, but somebody is explaining the case. On April 17th, 2020, Enbridge filed an application for its project called the Straight Line 5 Replacement Project
She says this bridges Line 5 as a fully operational 645 mile interstate pipeline that transports crude oil and light synthetic crude oil, natural gas liquids volume. She says Line 5 originates in Superior Wisconson and terminates near Sarnia, Ontario Canada.
A 30 inch diameter pipeline
travels through MI’s upper and lower peninsulas. She says that throughout the years (since 2020), indigenous tribal nations (she didn’t say which, but probably Anishinaabe water protectors) have filed multiple complaints regarding Line 5
This isn’t a final order, but “reopening of the record” to “develop a full and complete record on a number of issues” including specifically tunnel engineering and safety, and “the safety of the currant duel pipelines”
The motion has been unanimously approved. More info will be in my highlights
We’re going into public comment. Our first commenter is expressing his concerns around Line 5. He says that Enbridge still has a lot of questions to answer. He also brings up Enbridge’s PR campaign which claims they are working on “sustainability.” He also doesn’t believe +
The pipeline will be safe to construct, nor does he believe it will be safe for the community.
I firgot to mention a male commissioner said this. I was reading my transcript and didn’t get to see who said it: https://twitter.com/mostlikelyalex/status/1545105743690473473
Our next commenter (she’s a child) mentions that the Straits of Mackinac connects two lakes. This is important because if oil from the tunnel leaks, it will get pollute TWO of our great lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Our next commenter, an indigenous water protector, is explaining the importance of this land to indigenous people. It’s important that I fully capture what she is saying so I will be adding it to my highlights. She mentions a spill would be absolutely devastating
Our next commenter says that there are so many important things that the board should be focusing on, approving, funding, than an Enbridge crude oil pipeline which she says takes away so much from the surrounding community
@OilWaterDntMix legislative seat Sean McVeigh (spelling?) is mentioning how dozens of workers were killed while constructing a tunnel under Lake Huron in ‘71. More info here: https://forloveofwater.org/december-marks-50th-anniversary-of-drinking-water-tunnel-disaster/
Our next speaker, who organizes with members of the Little Traverse Bay band of Indians says she hopes the board considers the cultural sites that have yet to be explored in the area. She says they found what are likely to be cultural sites dating back about 10,000 years +
and the construction of this tunnel would totally obliterate “what we don’t even know we have yet because it’s not been explored.”
Our next commenter thanks the board for asking for more evidence from Embridge about the “sustainability” of their construction, because of their record of covering up leaks and explosions from their Line 3 pipeline. Line 3 cuts through tribal land in Minnesota
Our next commenter mentions Enbridge’s consistent examples of “bad faith” including their denial of possible responsibility around increased human trafficking and murders of indigenous women on their reservations during pipeline construction.
Indigenous women experience a disproportionate rate of human trafficking, sexual assault, and murder.
Commenter also says that Enbridge hired the DNR to criminalize protesters of Line 3
Our next commenter mentions Enbridge does not care about the likely catastrophes their constructions get, rather they care about profits
Our next commenter also thanks the board for not approving line 5 today and deciding to look further into it
She asks the board to look at fracking and horizontal drilling track records.
A commenter says an oil spill in the great lakes would destroy Michigan’s economy
A commenter says we need to utilize alternatives that are already available to us.
A commenter says that drilling a pipeline underneath the great lakes is a disaster even in the best case scenario; however, she says, this isn’t the best case scenario because Enbridge has such a poor track record with leaks and explosions. She asks the board trust indigenous +
The commissioners are really quiet right now, it might be because they are just introducing commenters calling in
Another commenter days Enbrudge uses the police force to their advantage because the police arrest protestors at indigenous led protests not only in Michigan, but on tribal land around the United States. She’s also mentioning the uptick of human trafficking on reservations +
when pipeline construction occurs. She also mentioned the possibility of there being burial and ceremonial sites near the construction sites. Again, will try to elaborate on this in my highlights
Our next commenter says it isnt a matter of IF there will be a leak, but WHEN
Our next commenter, a Detroit resident, says the city is already experiencing Line 5 pollution. She also asks how Michigan residents can trust that Enbridge will get things right this time when they have never done so in the past? She emphasizes Enbridge is Canadian corporate
Commissioner Philips is announcing that MDOT will be announcing the convening of public meetings to discuss the National Electric Vehicle Programs that are part of federal funding
Chairman Scripps is announcing open job positions at the commission. He also says that their next meeting will be held in Detroit, not Lansing.