ST. IGNACE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Enbridge Energy, which is facing continued lawsuits from the state of Michigan seeking its shut down, has cut the ribbon on its latest security check on Line 5.

The facility has seven staff members scheduled to monitor Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac around the clock. The “Guardian Protect System” will notify the center about ships passing through the “no anchor zone.” Workers will also use weather monitoring tools and high-definition cameras to monitor the Straits.

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Line 5 moves propane to heat homes and businesses in Michigan, with its propane supplying 65% of the Upper Peninsula’s energy demand. In addition, the company says Line 5 powers more than half of Michigan’s overall energy needs.

The station works in tandem with the $500 million dollar tunnel project that Enbridge Energy is funding and building to encase its tunnel. In 2018, a ship dragged its anchor, hitting the line and causing 600 gallons of insulation fluid to leak into the water.

Environmental groups have pushes back against the tunnel project arguing Michigan does not need to rely on Line 5 for energy.