WASHINGTON, D.C. — An oil spill off the coast of southern California highlights the immense threat aging pipelines pose to people and wildlife alike. 

“This is a devastating leak and ecological tragedy in a coastal region that is home to numerous threatened and endangered species — and this leak should underscore for state and federal regulators nationwide why aging pipelines simply are not worth the risk,” said Beth Pratt, California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation. “We need state and federal officials to swiftly contain this leak to limit its devastation for people and wildlife alike.”

“This pipeline leak off the California coast affirms why we have been leading the charge to decommission the nearly 70-year-old Line 5 pipeline, which pumps 23 million gallons of oil through the heart of the Great Lakes every day. Oil spills like this are nearly impossible to clean up and altogether devastating for people, wildlife, clean drinking water, tribal treaty rights and the environment,” said Mike Shriberg, Great Lakes Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation. “Enbridge needs heed Governor Whitmer’s order and stop the illegal operation of Line 5 immediately.”