Birkie foundation cuts ties with sponsor Enbridge Energy

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, which puts on the popular Birkie ski and trail events in northwestern Wisconsin, said it cut ties with sponsor Enbridge Energy after members of the "Birkie community" scrutinized the relationship.

Enbridge Energy is working to complete a new $2.6 billion pipeline across northern Minnesota that is the focus of several court petitions to stop the work over environmental and treaty rights concerns.

In a statement on its website, the Birkie foundation said the decision also aligns with its environmental initiatives, which include less reliance on fossil fuels.

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Ken Notes: I have been advocating for the opposite in the new power lines cutting through the Driftless. I was the companies to make investments in the are for more public events, tourism, and conservancy lands. The Enbridge lines are in and most likely will be updated so why not allow them to sponsor events that benefit the community and environment.