News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.7FM Alpena and WCML-TV Channel 6 Alpena have been restored. Click here to learn more.

State extends review of Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel project

Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline by rickz is licensed with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

State regulators plan to take a little more time reviewing the permit applications for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) says it is extending its review until January 2021.
A spokesman says the agency needs more time to consider a large volume of public comments... technical information and recommendations from the State Historic Preservation Office.
An Enbridge spokesman says the company agreed to the 30-day extension.
Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told Enbridge the 1953 easement that allows the company to operate in the straits is being revoked.
Critics say the pipeline poses a potential threat of a massive oil spill

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