Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
MACKINAC, Mich. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will likely fast-track the Line 5 tunnel project through the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan– the single worst place for an oil spill to happen in the Great Lakes. Six Michigan Tribes withdrew from Line 5 federal discussions after learning that the Army Corps will likely rush its approval of the project.
Owned by Canadian oil giant Enbridge, Line 5 is already highly controversial and poses an existential threat to the Great Lakes. The Line 5 tunnel project heightens the risk of an oil spill in the Great Lakes and the drinking water of 40 million people. Moreover, 95% of the product carried by Line 5 services Canada, not the U.S. The Canadian pipeline makes Canadian profits and supplies Canadian fuel. In fast-tracking the Line 5 tunnel project, the Straits of Mackinac will be in jeopardy of an oil rupture for another century.
The U.S. Army Corps’ intention to likely fast-track the Line 5 tunnel project follows Donald Trump’s executive order declaring an “energy emergency.” The Line 5 tunnel project will still require a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and is currently being considered by the department.
In response, Elayne Coleman, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director, released the following statement:
“Donald Trump plans to put Big Oil’s corporate interests above the safety of Michiganders and all those who rely on the Great Lakes for safe drinking water. If the Trump administration rushes the Line 5 tunnel project forward, an oil spill could cause catastrophic damage: contaminating the water that tens of millions of people depend on, costing billions of taxpayer dollars to clean up, and destroying fishing, tourism, and the Michigan way of life.
“Governor Whitmer can step in and save Michigan, protect the Great Lakes, and stop the Line 5 oil tunnel. We can’t bow down to Trump and the oil pipeline billionaires.”
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