The news from Enbridge in Michigan this week is that they’ve finished installing the new Line 6B, wrapping up construction work in the eastern part of the state and beginning restoration. As those of us on Phase One learned, to Enbridge, that pretty much means they think they’re finished: all that matters to them is getting the new pipe in the ground and pumping as much oil through it as possible. That’s where the money is. But Phase Two landowners need to be vigilant about restoration and make sure that it gets done right and to their complete satisfaction. It could take a very long time. We also recommend that landowners not be duped by Enbridge land agents into signing any paperwork releasing Enbridge from its restoration obligations. Believe us, they’ll try.
The truth is that, to Enbridge, everything other than getting the new pipe up and running is just an afterthought. You don’t have to take our word for it. Just ask these Phase One landowners. And these landowners. Enbridge more or less abandoned them.
They also abandoned a number of landowners to whom they still owe make up payments, as we reported to you quite some time ago. We’ve heard from some landowners who have asked about this matter, but they’ve gotten nothing but the runaround from Enbridge. To make matters worse, virtually everyone from Enbridge, from executives to land agents, who were around on Phase One (falsely promising us, according to the fictional corporate script, that they’d be with us to the bitter end) have vanished.
The one person who does remain is Jason Manshum. And unfortunately, he’s not finished saying outrageous and offensive things. This week, he’s giving reporters (and the public) a terribly distorted account of the reality of the Line 6B replacement project:
Manshum said the replacement in St. Clair County has been smooth compared to other spots along the replacement route through Michigan.
“There have been individuals or groups of people that have voiced their opposition to either the project or the industry,” Manshum said, adding that in a few instances the opposition has become a threat to the safety of the protesters or Enbridge crew members.
“We’ve unfortunately experienced that in a few places along our Line 6B replacement project, but not in St. Clair County that I can recall at this time.”
Once again, Manshum and Enbridge want to pretend that the problems they’ve had on this project have been with a handful of protesters, rather than a whole bunch of justifiably irritated landowners. After all this time, they still refuse to acknowledge what everybody knows is the truth: that Enbridge mistreated many, many people very badly on this project–and we’ve spoken with enough people involved over the past couple of years to know that even Enbridge, privately, knows this to be true. Enbridge simply doesn’t have the integrity to face up to this truth publicly and take responsibility for its actions.
As if to demonstrate that point, the other Enbridge news this week is that they’re launching a major new ad campaign– because they continue to believe that their problems have to do with public relations, rather than their (bad) behavior. And the premise of the new campaign? Astonishingly, it’s the same insulting, condescending line we heard from the erstwhile Joe Martucci three years ago at the very beginning of the Line 6B replacement project: that “Life takes energy.” You see, because Enbridge believes we are all so very stupid that if they just remind us that petroleum powers our cars and gas heats our homes, we will simply ignore all of their deplorable actions and behavior. After all, it’s a whole lot easier to pay some slick ad agency to try and repair your damaged image than it is to stop doing the things that make you look bad in the first place.
I was wondering how the pipeline was installed across m-24 just north of Oxford in Oakland county? I was assuming the road would be shut down but now they’re saying it’s done. Just curious as to how that’s done.
Thanks
Susan, for road crossings of that sort, typical they will do horizontal boring, where they drill a tunnel under the road and then pull the pipe through it. They often use this procedure for wetlands and other sensitive areas as well. There’s actually some video of the process on the blog somewhere, if you want to see how it works. Search for (I think) “pulling pipe.”
Perfect timing, as my wife and I were about to go gentle in to that good night. We have had our share of inconveniences, dust, noise, & etc. I will try to sum up our frustrations in no particular order. Item # 1 Rocks, we are in a real hot bed for rocks and while the crews were moving earth hundreds of rocks appeared on the route. All proper paperwork and a plan was laid out to where ALL rocks would be piled up during the construction. I did a few little projects on our property utilizing some unearthed craters and was waiting patiently for my “pile” so I could continue. One night upon arriving home I look out towards the line and realize, all of the rocks have disappeared. Not in the agreement that was signed sealed and delivered. Numerous calls and basically whining about where our rocks went resulted in the land agent assuring us we would have rocks and we will have so many that we will be calling to say “stop”. Well they dropped a few rock (no where near the amount that was present) and they actually dropped a load of oversized pebbles – which are useless and basically an eye sore now – We gave up and just wanted them to go away- #2 -We have allowed use of an existing easement and the condition they have left it; is way un acceptable – but we were just going to fix it ourselves since dealing with Enbridge usually results in more frustration than action. I am now vigilant to rage against the dying of the light and will make them accountable. thank You Jeff for refreshing my batteries!! many more items to list but not the time right now – anyone reading this faced with the possibility of ET ROVER – be aware – the money seems like a good idea at first, again…at first
Thank you Paul for your frank comments. So sorry to hear of your ordeal / nightmare! If ET Rover goes through as planned it will be adjacent to and encroaching on our property, (with possibly part of our property acquired by eminent domain for easement) and we have similar concerns as to the nightmare you describe. 🙁
Hell, I’m on oakland county and I’m still waiting for the last restoration item in my property to be completed! Been a year since ‘restoration’ was ‘completed’.
Hurray! a survey crew showed up today and finished the last item on my restoration list.
We too have been told that Enbridge is done on our Oceola Township, Livingston County property. The contractor who was actually doing the last bit of work last year called and said he would do a few things we had previously discussed….and that it would be on them rather than Enbridge. I told him “that’s not the way it should be done” and that I would call our agent. The agent we worked with last has left the company and I was turned back over to another agent we had worked with several years ago. When calling him, I get no response so I called Doug Reichley this morning and have not gotten a call back yet. They sure know how to wear you down which is evidenced by the comments above.
I WISH I COULD PUT THIS IN BOLD FLASHING NEON!!!! DON’T LET THEM WEAR YOU DOWN!!!!!
Ron, I too am in Oceola township. They just marked my new fence last week. It has been one year and six months since completion. Last year they wanted me to sign the release on restoration work and I looked into her face and laughed. I was also here during the Vector pipeline in which I had the same land agent from start to finish and every answer and issue resolved promptly. Enbridge has been nothing but headache and a run around and at least a six different contacts with no answers.