PRESS RELEASE: Lon Johnson Reacts to Rep. Candice Miller’s Bill to Shut Down Line 5

Renews call to shut down at Straits of Mackinac, says Casperson defending Canadian oil over Michiganders

[TRAVERSE CITY, MICH.] — In response to news that Michigan Rep. Candice Miller introduced legislation to shut down Line 5, Lon Johnson, candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 1st District, released the following statement:

“I am glad to see that our efforts on the ground across the U.P. and Northern Michigan have resulted in bipartisan action on both the state and now the federal level. I have said for months that this 63-year-old Enbridge oil pipeline should be shut down at the Straits of Mackinac so it can be independently inspected to be safe. The impact on the health of our Great Lakes and on our economy in the event of an oil spill would be devastating.

“While I’ve been calling for lawmakers to address the issue of Line 5 for months, it’s disappointing that Lansing politicians like Tom Casperson would rather defend a Canadian oil company than protect the health and jobs of the people of the U.P. and Northern Michigan. Maybe it’s the $28,000 in campaign donations Casperson has taken from oil and gas industry PACs that’s influencing his decision?”

Lon has been taking on Enbridge officials at numerous town halls in the U.P. and Northern Michigan, as well as helping local communities pass resolutions urging their elected leaders address the pipeline. More than 30 townships, local boards, and communities have passed resolutions. Lon is collecting signatures at shutdownline5.com.