Enbridge, the Canadian company managing Line 5, is in the process of obtaining permits from Michigan state authorities to develop an underground tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. This tunnel is intended to accommodate a fresh section of the aging pipeline.
The existing Line 5 pipeline, which is 72 years old, currently rests on the lakebed at the Straits, the waterway that links Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Various environmental organizations, Indigenous groups, and businesses are voicing their opposition to the tunnel. They argue that a potential oil spill in the Great Lakes could wreak havoc on the coastlines of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, as well as the local wildlife.
Critics further assert that the replacement of Line 5 promotes continued reliance on fossil fuels, exacerbating climate change concerns.
To align with Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Enbridge requires permits from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Public feedback regarding the proposed tunnel and its potential environmental impact is being accepted online or via mail until August 29. For more details on the permits and to submit comments, click here. Comments can also be mailed to:
EGLE, GDO-WRD
P.O. Box 30458
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7958
Alternatively, you may email your comments to egleenbridge-public-comments@michigan.gov
EGLE has organized a virtual and informal question and answer session on August 12 at 6:00 p.m., focusing on the proposed project and the permit application process.
A formal public hearing is also scheduled to take place online on August 19 at 6:00 p.m. Registration for this meeting is available here.
This permit is one of the final approvals Enbridge needs before moving forward with the tunnel construction beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The company is also awaiting permit results from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Editor’s note: Enbridge is among Michigan Public’s corporate sponsors.
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