LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Thirteen Michigan lawmakers encouraged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to quickly approve an environmental impact draft and necessary permits so the Line 5 tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac can move forward.
The tunnel project is “vitally important.”
In a letter dated June 20, 2025, the Northern Michigan Legislative Caucus submitted a formal letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and urged them to move forward on the Enbridge Energy-backed project. Enbridge, a Canadian-based company that owns Line 5, is spending $500 million of its own money to build the tunnel to encase the pipeline which provides light crude oil and natural gas to much of Michigan.
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Lawmakers wrote, “[The tunnel project] represents a vitally important enhancement to our state and national energy infrastructure, while also increasing protection for our Great Lakes by providing secondary containment for the dual pipelines of Line 5.”
“A long-overdue upgrade.”
Rep. Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs), one of the signers of the letter, said there’s no reason to stall on the tunnel project. “This tunnel is a long-overdue upgrade to our energy infrastructure that will safeguard our environment while keeping energy flowing safely to the people and communities that depend on it,” Fairbairn said. “The vast majority of people in Northern Michigan are united on this. The study is done, the facts are clear, and it’s time to move forward.”
The State of Michigan and Enbridge approved the project in December 2018, one month after voters elected Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Her administration has tried repeatedly, and failed, to shut down Line 5. There has not been an environmental disaster in the Great Lakes stemming from Enbridge or Line 5.
Fairbairn called those actions “political games.” He said, “This is a responsible plan that serves to enhance environmental protection and energy security, and it’s time to get it done.”
