In a post a couple of weeks ago, we tried to state our objections to the Line 6B project in one succinct sentence, which is this:
Enbridge has run roughshod over the citizens of the state of Michigan and our state elected officials have stood by idly and allowed it to happen.
We’ve had a lot to say about the first part of that sentence: Enbridge running roughshod. Here, we’d like to say a few words about the second part: our state elected officials allowing it to happen.
Over the course of the past few months, we’ve tried to enlist the help of our elected representatives, numerous times. In almost every instance, we’ve been met mainly with indifference (which, I think, is putting it rather mildly). Here is an update– a sort of roll call– on our “discussions” with those whose job is supposed to be to protect the public interest:
State Senator David Robertson. The first time we contacted Senator Robertson’s office, our concerns about Enbridge were met with incredulity. After all, we were told, the Marshall spill turned out great: the Kalamazoo River is cleaner than it’s ever been and property owners were paid more than the original value of their homes. Patiently, we tried to explain the problem with that view and the kinds of concerns we had about the way the Line 6B project was proceeding. We were told that Senator Robertson would look into the matter, which I think mainly meant making a phone call to Enbridge spokesman Joe Martucci. We waited. Six weeks or so later, we wrote to in the hopes of hearing about what, if any, action Robertson had taken. It’s been more than a week and we have yet to receive a reply.
State Representative Brad Jacobsen. Our contact with Rep. Jacobsen proceeded along similar lines, although eventually we were able to speak with him directly. From our brief conversation, he seemed to know very little about the Line 6B project beyond what Enbridge– with whom he said he’d had a couple of meetings (we assume, again, that means Joe Martucci). He also seemed not to have read the NTSB report on Marshall. He did, however, seem to have some interest and gave me his personal email address so that I could send him some information. I provided him various links (including some to this blog) and re-stated some of our basic concerns. I received no reply to that email. So about six week later, I followed up. Unlike Senator Robertson, Jacobsen did respond, stating that he was sending me a letter– adding, very strangely, that if I did not receive that letter to let him know and he would resend it (why would he assume that the letter would not reach me? I can’t figure it out). Well, sure enough, more than a week has passed and I have not received the letter. I’ve let him know.
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers. Two months’ worth of attempts to contact with Rogers were met with complete silence. Finally, we received a self-congratulatory letter from him that made it clear he has no plans to take any sort of action or leading role on this matter. We have replied to that letter, but have not heard back. We note that Rogers’ opponent in his current bid for re-election has been quite outspoken about Enbridge.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Our contact with the Governor’s office was among the most disheartening (and frustrating) of any of our encounters with public officials. When we asked why the Governor had not made any kind of public statement about the Enbridge project, his office responded, essentially, “why would he?” And when we persisted, patiently trying to explain why the governor of the state in which the worst inland oil spill in history had taken place might want to take some interest in the continuing activities of the company whose neglect and inaction caused that spill, we were told that it simply wasn’t an issue for for the governor’s office. Snyder’s staff made no attempt even to feign interest in citizen concerns. In fact, the person we spoke with would not even give us his last name.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. As we’ve documented, our communications with Stabenow’s office were a real adventure. We were essentially brushed off until her office was contacted by a reporter at the Los Angeles Times. After that, we had two extended conversations with a member of Stabenow’s staff, who was never able to offer any real answers to direct questions and who seemed unable to imagine any course of action that might be taken by the Senator or her staff. In fact, it became quite clear that the calls were really designed to placate, not help, us, presumably in the hopes that we (and any other pesky journalists) would just stop bugging them and go away. During our second (frustrating) conversation, we made an appointment for a third. But we never received that call. And that’s it. We were never given a phone number so that we could reach the staffer with whom we spoke.
So here’s what our persistent efforts yielded: a few form letters, a few unhelpful conversations with some staffers, and a couple of halfhearted attempts to appease us. But no action on the part of our elected officials. Evidently, there is not one in elected official at the state or federal level in Michigan who has the interest or the gumption to utter a single word of skepticism or criticism– or even concern– about Enbridge; to speak out on behalf of their constituents who have been treated disrespectfully; to support the autonomy and authority of the local municipalities (like Brandon Township) they represent; or to at least appear to be concerned about the protection of our natural resources and the safety of our communities
The statewide failure of leadership on this matter is, frankly. shameful. Have you contacted your state reps? What have been the results of your conversations?
Yes. Many of us tried that at the beginning of all this. They all seem so secure in their jobs, maybe it’t time they realized that they are a paycheck away from the unemployment line. Loss in votes is something they would understand. I don’t say this because they do not agree with how I feel. I say it because of the lack of honesty and real concern for what many of the people of Michigan are concerned about. To be brushed off or ignored like we or the problem doesn’t matter, is a huge show of ignorance and cowardice. We all understand the need for oil. Stopping Enbridge has never been the issue. Expecting them to be professional and responsible has been the issue, because they are not . A company coming in from another country, acting like a dictator, threatening and abrasive and abusive, should concern even our politicians. Why are we so very important to them at election time, and then nonexistant once they are in. They are American, we are American. Enbridge is not. What’s wrong with this picture? Does that mean stomp on Enbridge? No, it means Enbridge should do it right, and our politicians should demand it. All the way to the top!