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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) repeatedly requested Enbridge keep its Line 5 pipeline shut down following the largest oil and gas spill in state history on Aug. 25. Enbridge defied the requests. Without receiving the required permits, it built a new pipeline to bypass the rupture and restarted Line 5’s operations.

Enbridge’s actions raise serious questions about the state’s ability to regulate large, multinational corporations and its willingness to enforce its permits.

Bad River Tribal Chair Liz Arbuckle asked DNR officials if the permits meant anything at all: “What are the consequences if they are violated?”

Arbuckle said the DNR representatives gave evasive responses. They told tribal leaders they are continuing to work with Enbridge in the permitting process. The DNR would not answer whether they would issue Enbridge retroactive permits for the bypass work.

Oil Pipeline Threatens Catastrophe for Tribes in Michigan – Again

DNR Sec. Karen Hyun and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have criticized Enbridge’s conduct, but so far they have stopped short of meaningful enforcement action, such as revoking permits or taking legal action.

In a Sept. 9 letter to Enbridge, Hyun said that Enbridge has a growing list of environmental harms and permit violations, “demonstrating disregard for the environment, human health, and the statutory authority of the department.” Hyun said Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute permit........

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