To the Journal editor:

I am writing to urge others to support the closing of Enbridge’s Line 5. This 640 mile long, fossil fuel pipeline, built in 1953, has outlasted its projected life. The potential for failure of this aged structure is a danger to the land it traverses and the Great Lakes downstream of where it crosses the Mackinaw Straits.

Given there are renewable energy sources that are more affordable and provide clean energy, there is no need to continue with the pipeline, or build a new one for that matter.

In addition to a possible oil/natural gas spill, if the pipe ruptures, there is also wastewater discharge associated with the building and operation of a new line.

Over 500 million gallons of treated wastewater will be dumped into Lake Michigan during its construction with continued wastewater discharge after completion. A ruptured pipeline and dumped wastewater do not make for happy fisheries or clean shorelines.

As an older adult, looking forward, I want to be able to assure that future generations have clean water and an environment not polluted by fossil fuels.

Enbridge’s Line 5 needs to be put out of our misery, now and for the sake of future generations.