Wisconsin oil spill fuels doubts over Enbridge’s pipeline safety

A recent Enbridge oil spill in Wisconsin has intensified concerns about the safety of the company’s Line 5 pipeline project, despite state assurances of minimal risk.

Kristoffer Tigue reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Enbridge’s Line 6 pipeline leaked nearly 70,000 gallons of oil in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, raising questions about spill detection and response.
The spill occurred just days before state officials approved permits for the controversial Line 5 project.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and environmental groups are challenging these permits, citing ongoing trust issues and environmental risks.

Key quote:

“The close to 70,000 gallons of leaking crude oil from Enbridge’s Line 6 in Jefferson County shows why we have challenged DNR’s approval of the Line 5 reroute and why we have specifically challenged DNR’s conclusion that the risk of a Line 5 spill is small.”

— Tony Wilkin Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates

Why this matters:

Oil spills threaten ecosystems, water sources and Indigenous lands. Recent incidents suggest pipeline safety measures are unreliable, raising broader concerns over fossil fuel infrastructure and environmental justice.

insideclimatenews.org

Wisconsin oil spill fuels doubts over Enbridge’s pipeline safety

How extreme weather is destroying Black families’ retirement savings

How extreme weather is destroying Black families’ retirement savings

The EV tax credit is over, but EV lease deals and discounts remain

Sea levels are rising faster than at any time in the last 4,000 years. Here’s why

Warming made L.A. wildfires 25 times larger

L.A. declares fire-damaged Pacific Palisades properties a public nuisance

‘Leaving the world’s poorest behind’: Nearly 900 million poor people face climate shocks

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.