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Canadian oil giant Enbridge builds unauthorized pipeline bypass following 1.3 million gallon spill. By Devon Cupery, Hannes Brunner, and Scott Russell, Contributors September 22, 2026September 22, 2026 Single story posts page footer widgets mobile. Saxon, WI - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) repeatedly requested Enbridge keep its Line 5 pipeline shut down following the largest oil and gas spill in state history on Aug. 25. Enbridge defied the requests. Without receiving the required permits, it built a new pipeline to bypass the rupture and restarted Line 5's operations. Enbridge's actions raise serious questions about the state's ability to regulate large, multinational corporations and its willingness to enforce its permits. Bad River Tribal Chair Liz Arbuckle asked DNR officials if the permits meant anything at all: "What are the consequences if they are violated?" Arbuckle said the DNR representatives gave evasive responses. They told tribal leaders they are continuing to work with Enbridge in the permitting process. The DNR would not answer whether they would issue Enbridge retroactive permits for the bypass work. DNR Sec. Karen Hyun and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have criticized Enbridge's conduct, but so far they have stopped short of meaningful enforcement action, such as revoking permits or taking legal action. In a Sept. 9 letter to Enbridge, Hyun said that Enbridge has a growing list of environmental harms and permit violations, "demonstrating disregard for the environment, human health, and the statutory authority of the department." Hyun said Enbridge's Line 5 reroute permit violations have caused "continued frustration and profound unease" for state officials and the people of Wisconsin. People living near the pipeline have been unsatisfied with the DNR's construction oversight. Bad River Tribal Member Joe Bates and others have taken it upon themselves to keep an eye on things and make sure that spills and violations are promptly reported. It is worth noting that Bates' drone footage of the spill made international headlines. Enbridge's spill site bypass required state permits to cross streams and wetlands. The DNR did not approve the work. Enbridge blocked state officials from accessing the rupture site for weeks, citing safety concerns. When the DNR got access to the site, the bypass was under construction. The federal government imposed a no-fly zone for 20 days, preventing independent monitors from recording drone footage of the spill site. During this information blackout, the DNR and the community at-large were dependent on Enbridge's self-reporting about spill impacts. The no-fly zone was lifted on Sept. 14, the day Enbridge restarted the flow of oil through Line 5. Beth Wallace of the National Wildlife Federation criticized Enbridge's lack of transparency at a recent press briefing. "Enbridge claims to have learned from the 2010 Kalamazoo oil spill, but [their recent actions show] that they have only escalated the ways in which they shut out local communities, and that is making communities less safe." Wallace urged Wisconsin officials and residents to take the issue seriously, calling attention to Enbridge's "alarming escalation of federal preemption." She referenced a federal case currently playing out in Michigan where "Enbridge is trying to destroy state rights to regulate [projects] of this nature." Enbridge has received strong criticism from other state and Tribal leaders. Enbridge's Line 3 construction in Minnesota ruptured several artesian aquifers. The company withheld information from the state about its first breach for months. Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said in a media release that "Enbridge's actions are clear violations of state law and also of public trust." On Sept. 9, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer renewed her call for a Line 5 shutdown in the Straits of Mackinac, calling the pipeline a "ticking time bomb in the heart of the Great Lakes." Whitmer urged outgoing Enbridge CEO Gregory Ebel to shut it down "within months." In a press briefing, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Chair Winnay Wemigwase stressed that the spill was a "grave warning sign that cannot be ignored," not just an isolated incident. "This 73-year-old pipeline infrastructure poses an immediate, unacceptable threat across its entire 645-mile span," said Wemigwase, one of a growing number of voices calling for orderly decommissioning as the only sensible path forward. Cover image contributed by Devon Cupery: Enbridge built multiple unpermitted bridges to support its above-ground Line 5 bypass around the Aug. 25 spill site. See all of Unicorn Riot's coverage on Enbridge's Line 5 re-route by clicking the image below. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help sustain its horizontally-organized, non-profit media organization: About this post Published September 22, 2026

Enbridge stock: buy, sell, or hold with the CEO retiring? Enbridge stock continues to thrive in today's booming energy climate. The new CEO is a natural replacement for continuity and consistency. Published September 18, 4:20 pm EDT Key Points * - Enbridge's CEO transition to Michele Harradence, who has led the company's gas utilities since 2022, follows a multi-year succession plan and provides continuity during what's being called the best energy growth environment in recent history. * - Q2 results showed strength with EBITDA up 2.4% to $4.8 billion and distributable cash flow up 1.6%, supporting Enbridge's 31-year dividend growth streak and current 5.7% yield. * - The company's $50 billion growth capital backlog through 2030, focused on gas transmission and liquids infrastructure expansion, positions Enbridge to benefit from surging energy demand and supportive Canadian policy. As one of North America's leading energy infrastructure companies, Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) plays a pivotal role in transporting energy safely and reliably across the energy grid and into the homes and businesses that need it. Enbridge's stock has reflected the ease with which Enbridge does this and the wealth that it creates along the way. The company recently announced that CEO Greg Ebel is retiring after serving as Enbridge's CEO since January 2023. What does that mean for Enbridge's stock price? Should investors be concerned? What can Twofishmgmt expect of Enbridge stock's performance and dividends? Enbridge's new CEO steps into strong momentum. Seasoned energy executive Ms. Michele Harradence is taking over from Mr. Ebel. Ms. Harradence has led Enbridge's gas utilities since 2022 and has had other senior roles within Enbridge and at Shell Canada prior to that. Today, Enbridge is benefiting from strong momentum across the energy industry. This is driving strong utilization across Enbridge's assets and a growing backlog of growth opportunities. Simply put, she is inheriting Enbridge at a really good time. In fact, it has been called the best growth environment in recent history. Suffice to say, this appointment will provide continuity for Enbridge's strategy and operations. As the head of Enbridge's gas utilities since 2022, Ms. Harradence has been plugged into the opportunities and challenges that Enbridge looks forward to and faces. The transition follows a multi-year succession planning process and has been made with the utmost thought and care. Ms. Harradence brings with her decades of experience that will help take Enbridge forward into the many new and expanding opportunities that exist. Recent results. While Enbridge's recent stock price performance is not reflecting it, Q2 results were strong. Enbridge's second quarter results demonstrated high utilization rates and strong operational performance. This drove a 2.4% increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to $4.8 billion, and a 1.6% increase in distributable cash flow. These results once again demonstrated the value of Enbridge's low-risk business model with a utility-like profile. It's a business that exudes strength, with its predictable cash flows and healthy balance sheet. The consistency of Enbridge's business is on full display in its dividend record of 31 consecutive years of dividend growth. Looking ahead, Enbridge has the luxury of a strong growth backlog through to 2030. Enbridge's $50 billion of growth capital will be directed to many different areas. For example, to support additional capacity in gas transmission and to expand Enbridge's liquids infrastructure. The buy case for Enbridge stock. In my view, the investment case for investors does not change with this new appointment. The new CEO will likely provide continuity in Enbridge's strategy and direction as it grows along with the energy industry. Production and infrastructure growth is supported by an increasingly supportive Canadian governmental policy environment. Enbridge is well-positioned to benefit from this growth. At Enbridge's current stock price, it's yielding 5.7%. Enbridge stock continues to ride the growing tide. This dividend should remain well supported as it steadily grows over time. The bottom line. The change in leadership at Enbridge is not a reason for concern but a well-thought-out passing of the reins. Ms. Harradence is a solid and logical choice that will ensure continuity and success for Enbridge as it enters a period of very favourable industry fundamentals. In my view, Enbridge stock remains a buy - Enbridge's outlook for its stock performance and dividends is strong.

2 great Canadian dividend stocks that just raised their payouts again. These companies have delivered annual dividend growth for decades. Published September 18, 4:10 pm EDT Canadian pensioners and other dividend investors are wondering which top TSX stocks are attractive to buy right now for a self-directed Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) portfolio focused on generating reliable passive income and long-term capital appreciation. Enbridge. Enbridge (TSX: ENB) increased its dividend in each of the past 31 years. The stock has pulled back from the 2026 high around $80 to the current price near $68 per share. Investors who buy the dip can pick up a dividend yield of 5.7%. Dividend growth should continue, supported by cash flow gains from the $41 billion capital program and acquisitions. Enbridge intends to invest roughly $10 billion per year over the medium term on development projects across the broader portfolio of businesses that include oil and natural gas infrastructure, export facilities, and renewable energy installations. As the new assets are completed and go into service, the boost to adjusted earnings and distributable cash flow is expected to be about 5% annually. On the acquisition front, Enbridge recently announced two strategic deals in the United States. The company is spending US$2.55 billion to buy oil pipelines, storage, and marketing operations in the American Rockies region. Enbridge is also buying oil infrastructure in Texas and New Mexico for US$600 million. These assets will enable more producers to connect directly with Enbridge's oil export terminal in Texas that was purchased for US$3 billion in 2021. Enbridge issued $3 billion in new shares to cover part of the cost of the latest acquisitions. The stock sale is a big reason the share price slipped $3 at one point last week. It has since recovered a good chunk of the drop, as bargain hunters moved in to take advantage of the dip. Regarding risks, interest rate increases in the United States and Canada could be a headwind for the stock over the near term. Enbridge uses debt to fund part of its growth program, so higher borrowing costs could put pressure on profits. Fortis. Fortis (TSX: FTS) has given its investors a dividend increase for 52 consecutive years. The board intends to continue raising the distribution by 4% to 6% annually through at least 2030, supported by the $28.8 billion capital program. Fortis operates $79 billion in utility assets in Canada, the United States, and the Cayman Islands. The businesses include power generation facilities, natural gas and electric utilities, and electricity transmission networks. Revenue is primarily rate-regulated, which means cash flow should be predictable and reliable. Fortis also has a track record of making strategic acquisitions to diversify the asset portfolio. The company hasn't done a large deal for some time, but consolidation in the power and utility sectors is likely in the coming years as demand for electricity and natural gas is expected to rise. Fortis trades near $76 per share at the time of writing compared to the 12-month high around $83. The bottom line. Enbridge and Fortis pay good dividends that should continue to grow. If you have some cash to put to work in an income portfolio, these stocks deserve to be on your radar today.