“This tunnel would be the largest underwater tunnel to carry hazardous liquids in the world, crossing directly through the heart of the world’s largest surface freshwater system, the Great Lakes.”
A Statement from Michelle Woodhouse, Water Program Manager, Environmental Defence
Posted December 4th, 2023 on Niagara At Large
Toronto, Ontario – We are dismayed by the Michigan Public Service Commission’s decision today to grant Enbridge a permit to construct a dangerous oil pipeline tunnel underneath the ecologically sensitive Straits of Mackinac – through the heart of the Great Lakes.
The tunnel fails to address the broader risks posed by Enbridge’s aging Line 5 pipeline and introduces new and terrifying environmental safety risks.
The Commission is disregarding warnings from independent industry experts and putting residents on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border in uncharted, dangerous territory.
Furthermore, Enbridge and decision-makers continue to blatantly ignore reputable industry analysis showing that neither the tunnel nor the Line 5 pipeline, are necessary to reliably and affordably meet our energy needs. We have safer options than Line 5 and this dangerous tunnel.
We cannot allow Enbridge to jeopardize the health and safety of the Great Lakes and the many people who depend on them. We need the Government of Canada and the United States to prioritize the health of the Great Lakes, a shared public treasure, and work collaboratively towards a planned and orderly shutdown of the Line 5 pipeline.
Background info:
- This tunnel would be the largest underwater tunnel to carry hazardous liquids in the world, crossing directly through the heart of the world’s largest surface freshwater system, the Great Lakes.
- The sediment under the Straits of Mackinac is of poor quality for tunnel boring, threatening the tunnel’s integrity
- Experts testified that an explosion could create a fuel-rich fire that would burn for days, causing the tunnel to collapse.
- The presence of methane gas introduces the risk that hydrocarbon gas could cause an explosion under the lakebed.
- The Straits of Mackinac is a treaty-protected site of deep spiritual and cultural significance for Anishinaabe peoples. All twelve of Michigan’s federally recognized Tribes have passed resolutions calling for the decommissioning of Line 5
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
For more, this 2021 Global News report does a good job of outlining what is at stake for our environment and for Enbridge. To open the report, click on – Line 5 pipeline: How did we get here and what it means for Canada | Globalnews.ca
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
Does anyone ever think about the possible catastrophic consequences of what they propose? The best laid plans can go askew when something unpredictable happens. We’re talking the largest source of fresh water on the planet with a massive population in close proximity. Land transport is far from ideal but less prone to disaster .
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