ENBRIDGE LINE 5: Environmental groups to appeal tunnel approval

Peter Kobs, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.
·1 min read

Apr. 25—TRAVERSE CITY — A coalition of environmental groups will file a legal appeal on May 9 to prevent the construction of an Enbridge Inc. tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac.

The proposed 4.5-mile tunnel is designed to replace the 71-year-old pipeline that currently sits on the bottom of Lake Michigan.

The announcement was made Wednesday evening in Traverse City at a public seminar called "Tunnel Vision: A Masterclass in Rejecting the Line 5 Oil Tunnel." More than 150 people attended the standing-room-only event in the Alluvion performance space at 414 E. Eighth.

"I can't tell you the exact wording of the appeal now, but it will leverage the state's MEPA (Michigan Environmental Protection Act) law, especially protections against methane releases into the environment," said Denise Keele, director of the Michigan Climate Action Network.

The appeal will be used to counter a Dec. 1, 2023, decision by the Michigan Public Service Commission that gave qualified approval for the tunnel plan.

It's the latest chapter in an ongoing legal and regulatory battle over Line 5.

Keele's group MiCAN, a statewide network of 50 organizations, is leading the appeal process. Other advocacy groups involved include Oil & Water Don't Mix, the Groundwork Center (formerly the Michigan Land Use Institute) and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

When contacted by the Record-Eagle Wednesday night, Enbridge spokesman Ryan Duffy said via e-mail: "Tunnel opponents make it clear that they prefer to simply shut the line down.

"We would hope that all who are concerned about the water would support the tunnel project being completed as quickly as possible to enhance safety at the Straits."