by Tom Sasvari
DETROIT—While a judgment by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to delay a decision on an application from Enbridge Line on the proposed Line 5 tunnel beneath Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac project for another year-and-a-half has been called disappointing by officials with the company, local and US representatives are somewhat happy with the decision.
Glen Hare, Ontario Regional Chief told The Expositor, “If there is a delay in the decision that is good news. We have been saying all along that this is not needed. I think we all are, or should be nervous about oil pipeline spills, they have and will happen in the future if all due diligence isn’t followed.”
Lake Huron and Manitoulin Island, “is the main underwater highway from the US, and if a spill ever happened it would very negatively affect us, and those in charge would turn their back on us and not help,” the regional chief added.
“Well, you know the decision is the lesser of a larger narrative,” said Liz Kirkwood, executive director of For Love of Water (FLOW). “The solution would be to not have a tunnel at all.”
“Manitoulin Island is ground zero of a potential catastrophe if a spill took place, that no one wants to see,” stated Ms. Kirkwood. “There is wide agreement that this line must and should be decommissioned. This is a line that will be 70 years old on April 23.”
“Our public leaders need to be focussed on decommissioning this line as fast as possible,” said Ms. Kirkwood. “We can’t wait for another strike. There has been multiple anchor strikes on the line. You can’t allow the fate of line five dictated by another anchor strike.”
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, announced March 23 it is revising the decision on the proposed Enbridge Line 5 tunnel permit application review.
“Enbridge Energy seeks authorization to cross the Straits of Mackinac and impact adjacent wetlands for construction of the Line 5 tunnel. The Detroit District, responsible for evaluating the permit application, received more than 17,000 public comments during the scoping period which ended on October 14, 2022,” a USACE release states.
“We greatly appreciate the meaningful input received throughout scoping and will use this information to shape studies and continuing consultations throughout development of our draft environmental impact statement,” said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Brett Boyle.
The USACE Detroit District had originally planned to publish the draft environmental impact statement in late 2023 but is now preparing a spring 2025 publication.
Bridge Michigan, in a story published March 23, quoted from Enbridge spokesperson Ryan Duffy who expressed disappointment about the latest delay, notes, “While we are supportive of a thorough, comprehensive and carefully considered permitting process that ensures adequate opportunity for review and comment, we are disappointed with the extended timeline for a project of this scope.”
The delay adds on to the dispute as environmentalists and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argue with Enbridge over its existing 70-year-old dual-span petroleum pipeline at the bottom of the straits.
Line 5 opponents contend that the existing pipeline should be shut down immediately, citing its age and the threat an oil spill would pose to the straits. Meanwhile, Enbridge argues Line 5 can operate safely along the sandy bottom of the straits until it is eventually relocated into a tunnel bored deep beneath the lakebed.
Bridge Michigan reported the USACE decision is not surprising. “It’s another unfortunate case of Enbridge lying to the Michigan public and getting away with it,” said Sean McBrearty, coordinator of the anti-Line 5 coalition Oil and Water Don’t Mix. “From the beginning, we’ve said this is an unrealistic timeline, and building an oil tunnel through the Great Lakes is an unrealistic proposal.”
It was noted that while federal regulators consider the tunnel plan, Enbridge continues to ship petroleum products through the existing lake bottom pipes, in defiance of a shutdown order from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Ms. Nessel, meanwhile, has been pursuing a lawsuit since 2019 that aims to shut down the pipelines. A judge has yet to issue a final decision on whether the case should be heard in federal court (which Enbridge prefers) or state court (which Nessel prefers).
Enbridge Energy is proposing to construct a tunnel under the bed of the Straits of Mackinac between Point LaBarbe, St. Ignace, and McGilpin Point, Mackinaw City, Michigan (Line 5 tunnel). The Enbridge tunnel would house a new 30-inch pipeline for light crude oil and liquid natural gas, replacing the existing dual submerged pipelines crossing the Straits of Mackinac, which have been in operation since 1953.
Mr. Duffy told Bridge Michigan Enbridge remains committed to the tunnel project, as well as the continued safe operation of the Line 5 crossing of the Straits, and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of reliable, affordable energy to Michigan and the region.
Michigan Governor Whitmer, environmental groups and Native American tribes want the line shut down. They contend the nearly 6.4 kilometre section is vulnerable to a rupture. Line 5 moves about 23 million gallons (87 million litres) of oil and natural gas liquids daily between Superior, Wisconsin and Sarnia, Ontario.
Enbridge insists the nearly 70-year-old dual pipes are in good condition and monitored regularly. But the company agreed in 2018 with Governor Whitmer’s predecessor, Republican Rick Snyder, to drill a tunnel that would encase a new pipeline section in concrete, it was reported.
Ms. Kirkwood said, “the further delay of the infrastructure project that we don’t need, will hasten the pace of transition. This delay means that the pipeline will probably not be built until 2030 anyway. Priority must be on water security and protection.”
Enbridge is also awaiting a ruling from the Michigan Public Service Commission on its request to relocate the underwater pipeline segment. The commission last July request more information about tunnel engineering and hazards.
