State Rep. Brett Hulsey, a Democratic candidate for governor, has filed an appeal with the Department of Natural Resources to stop construction of the three giant oil storage tanks that the Enbridge energy company plans to build in Superior.
The DNR approved an air quality permit for three five-story high tanks that would hold half a million barrels of oil each. The oil is coming from the Bakken fields of North Dakota and the tar sands of Alberta, Canada.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brett Hulsey said Bakken oil is dirty and expensive. He said storing it will emit benzene and other carcinogenic fumes, as well as allow more of the crude to flow through Wisconsin pipelines.
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“Clearly Enbridge is a bad actor,” said Hulsey. “They’re a proven polluter. They’ve had oil spills across Wisconsin. I just don’t think they can be trusted to run a two-car parade, let alone expand this pipeline.”
Enbridge’s Becky Haase begs to differ, and said they strive to have zero leaks.
“We want to have a perfect record,” said Haase. “We’re doing everything we can to strive toward delivering every single drop of crude oil safely and effectively.”
Haase said several air monitoring stations will be near the tanks. She also said pipelines are the safest alternative to transporting the volatile Bakken oil. Hulsey said that’s not the point.
“Actually the real proposal is to use less oil,” said Hulsey. “My clean energy jobs plan invests $700 million in our state facilities to use less energy.”
The DNR would not comment on the appeal but will decide in 20 days on whether or not the appeal merits holding a contested case hearing. Haase said Enbridge has begun construction of the $150 million tanks. The DNR said the appeal does not force them to put the construction on hold.
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