The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has fast-tracked permits for a protective tunnel around Enbridge’s aging Line 5 oil pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The move follows President Trump’s January executive order calling for expedited approval of critical energy infrastructure to reduce foreign energy reliance.
Initially set for a 2026 decision, the Corps now classifies the tunnel as an emergency project. However, officials assert the process will remain thorough and legally sound. Critics including Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and the Great Lakes Business Network argue the fast-track undermines environmental safeguards and locks the region into fossil fuel dependency.
Enbridge defends the project, stating the tunnel enhances safety for the nearly 90 million litres of crude oil and natural gas liquids moved daily between Wisconsin and Sarnia, Ontario. The pipeline, operating since 1953, has faced scrutiny since 2017 over protective coating gaps and anchor damage risks in the straits.
Legal opposition continues. Michigan’s attorney general and governor are pursuing lawsuits to void Enbridge’s easement, while a February court ruling upheld state permits for the tunnel. Simultaneously, several Native American tribes have withdrawn from consultations beyond cultural impact discussions, accusing the Corps of disregarding spill risks and climate implications.
In Wisconsin, Enbridge faces separate legal hurdles to reroute 66 kilometres of Line 5 off tribal land. The Bad River Band, which had its easements expire in 2013, seeks to revoke state permits amid growing concerns over potential spills.
Source: Swifteradio.com
