Advocacy News – June 18, 2025
What’s new: This week, the MI Chamber voiced the importance of moving forward with the construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel during an online public hearing held by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Once built, the Tunnel will be an essential utility infrastructure that will ensure safe transport of energy product under the Straits of Mackinac, while creating hundreds of jobs at zero cost to Michigan taxpayers.
- The Army Corps recently released its draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) which showed that the project could move forward with low risk to the environment and surrounding community.
Why it matters: Access to affordable and reliable energy is essential to the prosperity of Michigan businesses and communities. Michigan uses more propane to heat homes and buildings than any other state in the country, and Line 5 is a major contributor to the transportation of that and other energy products.
What others are saying:
Michigan Congressmen Moolenaar and Bergman recently proposed legislation that would prevent future regulators from undoing the progress made towards making the project a reality, underscoring the importance of a long-term and predictable solution around the energy project.
Some opponents of the pipeline, including Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, have tried to argue that the pipeline should be closed and the Tunnel should not move forward.
- Closure of the pipeline would create price spikes in the cost of fuel and propane in Michigan and across the region and likely result in an energy shortage.
What’s next: The Army Corps of Engineers will accept public comments on the project proposal throughout the month of June. Following the conclusion of the comment period, the Corps intends to finalize the EIS.
- This process is a critical step toward securing the federal permits required to advance the project.
For questions or more information contact Mike Alaimo.