You may have heard that the Trump Administration granted federal permits for the Line 5 reroute today. Read our press release here. Some are using this as an opportunity to suggest that the reroute is inevitable. That’s not true.
In response to the announcement, Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter Director Elizabeth Ward said, “In fast-tracking the Line 5 reroute, the Army Corps has backed Canadian oil giant Enbridge at the expense of the Bad River Band, Wisconsinites, and the 40 million people who rely on the Great Lakes for safe drinking water. There’s no safe way to reroute this pipeline. Every day that Line 5 continues to operate, our water, ecosystems, and way of life is in danger.”
As Midwest Environmental Advocates attorney, Rob Lee, stated in the press release, “Federal law is clear. The Army Corps can’t approve this project without final water quality certification from the relevant state authority. The DNR’s certification is still being challenged in court, which means it’s not legally final—and that makes this permit premature and unlawful.”
As a result of our lawsuit, Enbridge does not have final permits from the state. We are being represented by Midwest Environmental Advocates, along with the League of Women Voters and 350-Wisconsin. Clean Wisconsin and the Bad River Band have also challenged the permits. This is considered the biggest Contested Case Challenge in Wisconsin’s history. Until the Contested Case challenge is over and Enbridge receives final permits, Enbridge can not begin construction of the reroute.
The press release from the Trump Administration referred to the federal permit announcement as a “success” and a part of the administration’s efforts for “energy dominance”. However,
- the oil that flows through Line 5 does not originate from the United States and is not used in the United States.
a new oil industry study shows that shutting down Line 5 would be good for energy independence. (see below for more information)
a study commissioned by the State of Michigan found that decommissioning Line 5 would create more jobs than building the massive tunnel project that Enbridge has proposed.
Read on for important updates about Line 5 and the growing call to shut it down.
Line 5 at center of the largest Contested Case Hearing in Wisconsin
The Bad River Band, along with the Sierra Club, League of Women Voters, and 350 Wisconsin, represented by Midwest Environmental Advocates, and Clean Wisconsin are challenging state permits and other approvals for the reroute.
The contested case challenge is considered the the largest and most complex administrative hearings in the history of the state in terms of witnesses and size of the record. Throughout September, parties demonstrated the significant long-term risks of allowing this permit to stand. Throughout the month community members joined the public hearing to watch in support, and the month was capped off with a press conference highlighting youth, health and religious perspectives in support of shutting down Line 5.
Statements in support of the legal challenge were made by the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Healthy Climate Wisconsin, Racine Interfaith Coalition, and Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).
Fish for the Future swims to the Wisconsin State Capitol
On July 12, 2025, the world record for the largest display of origami fish was broken. 86,262 fish made up a beautiful and inspiring exhibit at the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee as a powerful call to shut down Line 5. See all the photos at FishForFuture.org
The Fish for the Future campaign was put on by the Sierra Club, Michigan Climate Action Network (MICAN), Oil and Water Don’t Mix, 350 Wisconsin, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Great Lakes Business Network, National Wildlife Federation, Healthy Climate Wisconsin, Three Waters Pipeline Resistance Team, and Clean Water Action.
Congregations, Cub Scouts, classrooms, and over 70 organizations participated. People from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, D.C., Canada, Mexico, and even the Netherlands sent in fish. Boxes arrived with not just folded paper, but handwritten notes of hope, solidarity, and love for the Great Lakes.
A portion of these record-breaking origami fish are on display in the Wisconsin State Capitol from October 25 to November 7. Another 6-month installation of the display will follow at Garver Feed Mill in Madison, WI. You can watch the press conference on Wisconsin Eye here.
New Report Finds Line 5 Shut Down would have limited economic impact
A new industry report from PLG Consulting, a respected oil and logistics firm, finds that the market can easily adapt to a Line 5 shutdown without energy shortages, price spikes, or harm to consumers. The analysis shows that 87% of Line 5’s capacity could be replaced within three months and 100% within 18 months using existing pipelines, rail, and water transport—while boosting U.S. energy dominance by replacing Canadian oil with American crude and increasing exports by up to 200,000 barrels per day. Gasoline prices would rise by less than a penny, and propane needs in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Canada could be fully met.
These findings directly challenge Enbridge’s claims of economic disaster and the need for its costly tunnel project, revealing that alternatives exist and that a shutdown would uphold Tribal and state sovereignty while protecting the Great Lakes. The PLG report reframes the debate: ending Line 5 isn’t just feasible—it’s the smarter, more responsible path forward.
Over 92,000 Comments Reject proposed oil tunnel
More than 92,000 comments were submitted to Michigan’s environmental regulatory agency opposing permits to construct the Line 5 oil tunnel, Enbridge's proposal to circumvent Governor Whitmer's shutdown.
“The thousands of comments submitted to EGLE this summer shows that Michiganders are fed up with the Enbridge tunnel scheme that will keep foreign oil profits flowing from its existing, 72-year-old pipeline through our Great Lakes,” said Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator of the Oil and Water Don’t Mix Coalition and Michigan director of Clean Water Action.
Troubled Water on PBS Nationwide
Troubled Water, a compelling adventure documentary chronicling the epic journey of two Northern Michigan friends through the Great Lakes to raise awareness about the threat of the Line 5 crude oil pipeline, will broadcast on PBS throughout the nation this fall, reaching an estimated audience of several million viewers.
The calls to shut down Line 5 grow in unique and creative ways
Here are some fun highlights from the fall, showing the growing movement to shut down Line 5
- In early October, water protectors won first place at the Bayfield Applefest parade with a float dedicated to the critters Line 5 puts at risk, the water, and Copper Falls. (Photo credit: Devon Young Cupery)
- We joined over 150 organizations in signing a letter of support for Senators Kaine and Heinrich’s Resolution to terminate the Executive Order declaring an Energy Emergency. The Executive Order is aimed at increasing the production of dirty fossil fuels, like oil and gas, while disregarding clean air and water safeguards, and undermining appliance standards that save energy and money.
- This month Sister Kristin Peters of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration completed her four-day, 41-mile walking pilgrimage around Wisconsin's Lake Mendota in Madison. Prior to starting, she spoke at a news conference standing in solidarity with Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians and environmental groups contesting Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline in Northern Wisconsin.
- In September, we joined our partners in participating in the Willy Street Parade and Wisconsin Climate March, bringing creativity to the streets with incredible displays, costumes and signs, with a special shoutout going to the 350 Art Collective!
What you can do to join the movement
- Call on Governor Evers to push back on the Trump Administration’s unlawful fastracking of the reroute permits
- Write a Letter to the Editor: The opinions section of local media remains one of the most-read news segments. Submitting a Letter to the Editor (LTE) is a great way to share your perspective and advocate for solutions. Use this tool to write a short letter about why we need to shut down Line 5.
- Learn more about the tunnel project with the Big Oil vs Big Water virtual event on November 18. Join us for a 90-minute webinar exploring the growing threats Big Oil and the Line 5 pipeline pose to the Great Lakes — North America’s most precious freshwater resource. Spanning 750 miles and shared by the U.S. and Canada, the Great Lakes hold 84% of North America’s surface freshwater and provide drinking water to over 40 million people. They also hold deep spiritual and cultural significance for Indigenous peoples, sustain vital ecosystems, and anchor the region’s economy. Yet their future is at risk — beneath their surface lies one of the continent’s most hazardous oil pipelines. RSVP here.
- Share the film Bad River: The film Bad River chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty as they stand up to oil giant Enbridge. The best way to build our power is through our networks! Check out this toolkit for sharing the film with your friends and family.
- Put up a yard sign- to show neighbors and your community about the need to shut down Line 5. Sign up for one here.
- Want to do more? Sign up to volunteer with our Tar Sands Team!