Enbridge, the Canadian pipeline company that operates Line 5, is seeking permits from the State of Michigan. The permits are required in order to construct a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac that would house a new segment of Line 5.
Currently the 72-year-old oil and natural gas liquids pipeline sits on the lakebed of the Straits which connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Environmental groups, Indigenous nations, and some businesses have been actively opposing the tunnel and want Line 5 shut down, saying an oil spill in the Great Lakes at that location could be devastating to the Lake Michigan and Lake Huron coastlines and the wildlife in the area.
They also argue that replacing Line 5 just perpetuates the use of fossil fuel and contributes to climate change.
It needs the permits from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, to comply with Michigan’s requirements under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
Comments about the construction of the proposed tunnel and any environmental damage caused by it are being taken online or through the mail until August 29. You can learn more about the permits and leave comments here. Or you can submit comments by mail to:
EGLE, GDO-WRD
P.O. Box 30458
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7958
or by email to egleenbridge-public-comments@michigan.gov
Before that deadline, EGLE will hold a virtual and informal question and answer session on August 12 at 6:00 p.m. In a notice, EGLE said questions should be related to the proposed project and the permit application review.
A formal public hearing will also be online. It will be held on August 19 at 6:00 p.m. You can register for that meeting here.
This is among the last permits Enbridge needs in order to begin construction of the tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. It is also awaiting a decision on permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Editor's note: Enbridge is among Michigan Public's corporate sponsors.
