One thing we’ve learned over the past couple of years is that the spokespersons of pipeline companies like tossing estimates around. For a very long time, for instance, Enbridge has been running around Michigan saying that the “vast majority” or “most” of Line 6B landowners have been perfectly happy. But of course, there’s no sound basis for those claims whatsoever.

We mention this because it must be something they teach in p.r. school. Just a couple weeks ago, ET Rover spokeswoman Vicki Grenado said the same thing to the Clarkston News about landowner responses to that project:

“We have certainly heard people on both sides (for and against the pipeline),” said ETP Spokesperson Vicki Granado. “I would say (that) definitely more than 50 percent, more than 75 percent of people, have responded positively . . . It’s definitely more on the positive (side) than the negative, but we certainly have people that still have some questions.”

Needless to say, we’re more than a little skeptical of those numbers– though we have no more reliable scientific data on the question than Grenado. But here’s something pretty telling:  at a recent meeting for concerned residents held in Ortonville, out of more than 100 attendees, “nearly all,” according to a show of hands, opposed the project. Was that a representative sample? We can’t say for sure. But Vicki Grenado would have to produce a whole lot of supporters to make her math work. We’re not sure where she’d find them.

At the meeting in question, our tireless friend Jeff Axt, the Brandon Brawler, gave a presentation outlining the very serious concerns about this project shared by many of us. “The current route as proposed is insane,” Jeff told the attendees.

Even better than the vocal citizen opposition to Rover is the action of the Brandon Township Board of Trustees, once again showing the kind of leadership that ought to be emulated all across the state. At a special meeting of the Board, they agreed to draft a formal resolution opposing the project and urging FERC to reject it as currently proposed. Here’s what Trustee Ron Lapp had to say:

“I don’t want to put up with another Enbridge,” said Trustee Ron Lapp. “It’s been a nightmare. We are not their servants, that’s not how government works. I think we need to dig our heels in and say, ‘Not here, we’re going to fight you.'”

A formal resolution by a municipality is, in our view, a major step. If others follow suit, FERC will have no choice but to listen, we think. We hope that Brandon’s example will embolden other townships. There are signs this will happen: Axt will be bringing his presentation to Rose Township next week (details here). Please consider attending and making your views about this unnecessary project known. This pipeline will bring very little benefit to Michigan; it’s headed to Canada. We should resist the taking of private property for corporate gain.

We applaud Jeff Axt for his leadership in this matter!