Governor Whitmer sets a bold path forward to protect the Great Lakes from risky energy.

June 7, 2019

Today the Governor announced the creation of a new Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force, which is critical to improving energy diversity, reliability and affordability. This Task Force will be especially important to finally resolving the issue of propane delivery to Upper Peninsula residents without relying on the risky Line 5 oil pipeline.

The members of the Great Lakes Business Network are excited to work with the Governor and members of her new Task Force to chart a clear path forward that includes a rapid transition to clean energy across the state.

Founding Great Lakes Business Network member Larry Bell of Bells Brewing Co. in Comstock Park, and also owner of Upper Hand Brewing Co. in Escanaba commented on recent negotiations between Governor Whitmer and Enbridge, and the new U.P. Energy Task Force:

“I appreciate that the governor has been through negotiations to try to resolve this issue, but I’m not surprised that negotiations have gone poorly. I’ve had personal interactions with Enbridge following their devastating oil spill in the Kalamazoo River and found them to be very difficult to work with. As the owner of a brewery in Escanaba that relies on clean water, I applaud the Governor for taking steps to protect our Great Lakes and find clean energy solutions for the people of the Upper Peninsula.”

Great Lakes Business Network member Noah Marshall-Rashid, co-owner of American Spoon in Petoskey, had this to say about recent news regarding Enbridge and Line 5:

“It’s clear that Enbridge is willing to put the people of Michigan at risk of environmental and economic disaster for another 10 years while it demands accommodations for a tunnel that we neither want or need. It’s time we invest in clean, renewable energy infrastructure across our state rather than continue to pretend it’s in Michigan’s long-term interest to serve as a short cut for Canadian oil and gas’.