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Nonprofit group comes out in favor of Line 5 pipeline

Joel Dinda
/
https://flic.kr/p/W8CNjP

A nonprofit organization mainly representing energy industry and business interests has come out in support of the Line 5 pipeline.

In a written statement representatives for Consumers Energy Alliance said Line 5 was Michigan’s “most important asset for energy delivery”.

Brydon Ross is the Vice President of State Affairs with Consumers Energy Alliance. He said the pipeline helps keep energy costs in the state low.

“If you took away Line 5 as an option consumers in Michigan would be paying over 120 million dollars more to get their fuel.”

Ross said a pipeline shutdown would disproportionately impact low-income Michiganders.

“I know for sure the economic impacts of shutting down this infrastructure would have on people, especially those hurting right now in Michigan. The working poor who spend almost three times as much on energy as people in the top brackets. I know for sure what happens to them.”

Jennifer McKay is with Tip of the Mit Watershed, an environmental group. She said the State’s alternatives analysis noted energy prices would be impacted.

“It did highlight that there would be potential negative impacts to Michigan consumers but they were minimal. With respect to gasoline prices it was projected that they would only increase by two cents per gallon if line five were decommissioned.”

McKay said for propane in the Upper Peninsula costs could rise between 10-25 cents per gallon.

She said while line 5 hasn’t broken in the straits, inland portions have, and, McKay said, there is certainly a risk.