Enbridge agrees to reapply for key permit, stalling Line 5 tunnel project
(UI) — Enbridge has agreed not to use a 2021 permit from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for its Line 5 tunnel project and will seek a new permit instead, according to the Michigan Advance.
This move comes as Michigan’s Tribal Nations and environmental groups continue to raise concerns about the risks associated with the pipeline, which runs through the Straits of Mackinac—a critical area where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.
The pipeline, which transports millions of gallons of crude oil and natural gas daily, has been at the center of controversy due to its location in a highly sensitive environment. Following an anchor strike in 2018 that dented the pipeline, Enbridge proposed relocating it into a concrete tunnel under the lakebed to reduce spill risks.
Permits from EGLE, the Michigan Public Service Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are required for the project to move forward, according to the Michigan Advance. Although Enbridge initially secured approval from EGLE and the Public Service Commission, both permits faced legal challenges from tribal groups, citing inadequate assessments of environmental and cultural impacts.
The Army Corps of Engineers has extended its environmental review, pushing the project’s potential start date to 2026. Enbridge must now apply for a new water resources permit incorporating updated wetland data before moving forward.
Tribal representatives and environmental advocates see this as a win, arguing it will give EGLE another chance to fully evaluate the project’s impact on the environment and tribal interests. Enbridge has not commented on the latest developments.
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