What Enbridge’s Line 5 Policing Plan Means for Wisconsin Pipeline Protests
As construction begins on a rerouted segment of Line 5 in Wisconsin, agreements allowing local law enforcement agencies to seek reimbursement for certain public safety costs are drawing attention. Here’s how the arrangement works and what it could mean for the project.
(P&GJ) — Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge has secured agreements with two Wisconsin counties that would allow local law enforcement agencies to be reimbursed for costs related to policing protests tied to the company’s proposed Line 5 reroute project, according to reporting by Grist.
The arrangement would allow sheriffs to bill the company for certain public safety expenses, including officer hours, training, and crowd-control preparation as construction moves forward.
The agreements come as Enbridge begins work on a 41-mile reroute segment of Line 5, a pipeline that transports roughly 540,000 barrels per day of crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, to refineries in Ontario. The project is intended to bypass a section of the pipeline that crosses the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation, where tribal leaders have fought to shut down the existing segment due to concerns about spills affecting local waterways and wild rice beds.
SEE ALSO: Federal Approval Clears Way for Construction on Enbridge's Line 5 Reroute in Wisconsin
A federal judge previously ruled that Enbridge had been trespassing on tribal land after pipeline easements expired, ordering the company to cease operations on that section by June 2026. However, the shutdown timeline was later paused while the company appeals the decision. Tribal leaders continue to oppose the reroute, arguing it could still threaten the watershed and treaty-protected natural resources, as reported by Grist.
Local officials say the reimbursement agreements are meant to prevent pipeline-related protest costs from falling on taxpayers. The arrangement allows law enforcement agencies along the route to request payment for patrols, planning efforts, and coordination activities associated with the construction project. Ashland and Iron counties approved the plan, while Bayfield County rejected it.
Funding agreements between pipeline developers and police agencies became more common following large-scale protests against energy infrastructure projects in recent years. During construction of Enbridge’s Line 3 replacement pipeline in Minnesota, the company funded an escrow account that reimbursed millions of dollars to local agencies responding to demonstrations. Critics argue such arrangements risk creating bias in policing protests, while supporters say they help offset the financial burden on local governments.