Pipeline companies take active roles supporting the communities where they operate.  They provide charitable donations, sponsor school programs and train with local emergency response organizations.  Enbridge Energy Partners was the 2007 corporate sponsor of the Northeastern Illinois Envirothon, which took place March 19 – 21, 2007.  Almost 200 students from nine counties came together to test their environmental knowledge.

One hundred environmental educators and resource professionals, team sponsors and coaches, members of the media and volunteers observed, evaluated, recorded and assisted the students as they tackled testing and problem solving in forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife and environmental issues such as wetlands management, groundwater or alternative energy.  The problem-solving natural resources competition not only gives students a chance to compete with their peers but also increases their interest in and understanding of the environment.  “The students really get into the spirit of learning, stewardship and competition,” said Denise Hamsher, Enbridge director of public, government and regulatory affairs.  “As an energy transportation company focused on safe, environmentally responsible pipeline operations, Enbridge is proud to support their enthusiastic quest for environmental careers and solutions in Northern Illinois and beyond.”

The five-member team that won this regional competition will compete at the state level in early May.  State winners qualify for the international competition held July 29 - August 4, 2007 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York with teams representing more than forty states and eight Canadian provinces expected to participate. The top five teams will receive scholarships that can be used toward a four-year university or a two year-college or trade school are given to the top five teams. 

The Envirothon was held in an area where Enbridge is significantly expanding its pipeline system.  The Southern Access Program project includes expansion stages through Wisconsin and Illinois, bringing crude oil from the Alberta oil sands to refineries in the Midwest.  The side-by-side Southern Lights light hydrocarbon pipeline will transport diluting petroleum from Chicago refineries to Alberta to facilitate production in the oil sands.  The “recycling” diluent pipeline made Enbridge’s sponsorship of the Envirothon an especially good community partnership match this year since one of the goals of the competition is to equip students with skills in resource management. 
 
Enbridge promotes many worthwhile non-profit causes along its pipeline systems.  Their sponsorship of the Northeastern Illinois Envirothon is a great example of how pipeline companies support local communities and their citizens.