MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today issued a formal notice of violation to Enbridge Energy for alleged violations in Iron and Ashland counties. After an enforcement conference, the DNR may refer the case to the Department of Justice. In response, State Representative Angela Stroud (D–Ashland), who represents the south shore of Lake Superior, issued the following statement:
“I oppose Line 5. This is a Canadian pipeline that carries petroleum products through our communities, puts Lake Superior at risk, and does not offer us any significant benefit. This reroute project is threatening our aquifers and damaging our wetlands.
“Enbridge has already shown us what its hasty work costs. A ruptured pipe released more than 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids, which was the largest pipeline spill in our state. And two weeks later, we still don’t have clarity on whether they’ve breached our aquifer. It seems like they’re more focused on working quickly than on ensuring the safety of our ecosystems, and that is unacceptable for those of us who live here. It’s our quality of life that’s at stake.
“I’m glad that the DNR has followed up on possible violations and are intending to enforce state law. But I’m shocked to see that the maximum penalty under our air pollution law is $25,000 per day. I’ve looked into this, and the penalty hasn’t been changed since it was established in 1979. Adjusted for inflation, this would be about $122,000. Federal penalties keep pace with inflation, and the same should be true in our state.
“This is not an accident. It is the result of choices made by the legislative majority, who for 16 years have done nothing to protect our ecosystems. Every year they refuse to update these laws, they hand corporations a discount on polluting our state. Enbridge made $5 billion in profits last year. A penalty that amounts to a rounding error isn’t a deterrent, it’s just the cost of doing business, and the legislative majority has set the price.”
“I’m glad the DNR is using every tool at its disposal, and I urge the Department of Justice to pursue these penalties fully, but this status quo is unacceptable. The Legislature must ensure that we are empowering the DNR to hold corporate polluters accountable in a way that actually reflects what’s at stake.”
