Advocacy News – Jan. 10, 2024
Three environmental groups have filed appeals to the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) decision granting needed approvals for the construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel, which will house a new twin pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The MPSC said the yet-to-be-constructed tunnel beneath the lakebed is the “best option” to improve safety while still securing the “public need” for fossil fuels.
Why it matters: Line 5 has been the subject of litigation and policy efforts, with Attorney General Dana Nessel fighting to shut down the dual pipelines. If the Michigan Court of Appeals decides to hear any of the motions to appeal, the proceedings could further delay Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace the segment of the Line 5 pipeline crossing the Straits with a concrete tunnel. As it stands, construction will not begin until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes the federal permitting process.
What we’re saying: The Michigan Chamber supports the Great Lakes Tunnel project as a means to protecting the Great Lakes and ensuring Michigan’s access to affordable energy for generations to come.