Wisconsin DNR Seeks Halt to Enbridge Line 5 Reroute Amidst Leak Investigation
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has requested that Enbridge halt work on its $1 billion Line 5 pipeline reroute project in response to a natural gas liquids leak that occurred on the existing Line 5 in Iron County, Wisconsin.
Milwaukee, WI, August 28, 2026 — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has formally requested that Enbridge, the energy infrastructure company, cease all work on its approximately $1 billion Line 5 pipeline reroute project. This directive comes in the wake of a natural gas liquids leak discovered on the existing Line 5 infrastructure in Iron County, Wisconsin.
The WDNR’s request underscores the department’s response to the incident involving the current pipeline. While the specifics of the leak, including its precise cause, the volume of natural gas liquids released, and the exact timeline of its discovery, were not detailed in the available information, the event has prompted regulatory action. The existing Line 5 pipeline carries crude oil and natural gas liquids through multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute project, a significant undertaking valued at approximately $1 billion, aims to replace and modernize sections of the aging pipeline. The project has been the subject of considerable regulatory scrutiny and public discussion. The leak in Iron County has now introduced a new layer of concern and investigation for the project’s progression.
The contractor’s name involved in the project was not provided in the summary. Further details regarding the specific permit status of the reroute project, the outcome of any inspections related to the leak, or any identified code violations and potential fine amounts were not immediately available.
The WDNR’s action to request a halt on the reroute project signifies a critical development in the ongoing oversight of energy infrastructure. The department has not yet provided an estimated duration for the requested work stoppage, nor has it detailed the specific conditions that must be met for Enbridge to resume activities on the reroute project. The situation remains under review as authorities assess the implications of the leak and its impact on regulatory approvals for the expansion or modification of the Line 5 pipeline.
Story summarized from the original created by Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio on urbanmilwaukee.com, see more information here.
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