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Environmental groups fortify efforts against Enbridge's plan for Line 5

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Several environmental groups are stepping up their efforts against an expected plan to build a tunnel for an oil pipeline that passes through the Mackinac Straits.

A spokesman for Governor Rick Snyder says the state is still “reviewing studies and working through all possible options” for what to do with Line 5.

But environmentalists, like Sean McBrearty with the group Clean Water Action, believe the governor has already decided.

“In the waning days of his administration, Governor Snyder is trying to fast track approvals for Enbridge to build an oil tunnel through the Straits of Mackinac.”

Environmental groups expect the governor will announce the tunnel plan soon.

Officials with Enbridge say the tunnel will take five to seven years to build.  And they say it’ll cost upwards of a half billion dollars.

Concerns about the aging pipeline have led to calls to shut it down.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005.