The Line 5 tunnel project is taking a step backward after Enbridge agreed to redo one of three key permits.
The original permit necessary to construct a tunnel underground in the Straits of Mackinac was granted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy in 2021. The permit would have expired before tunnel construction could start in 2026.
Debbie Chizewer is a lawyer with Earthjustice, which appealed the permit on behalf of the Bay Mills Indian Community. She said the initial process did not include enough public input and tribal consultation, and the state has the opportunity to "make the right decision this time."
“We are in place where we get to demonstrate again with more information available that the tunnel project is too risky and will have too many impacts on the environment and tribal interests,” Chizewer said.
In a statement, Enbridge said the company recognizes the importance of environmental protection and has refined its project planning. The company will be filing a new permit application later this year, which will also account for new wetland survey data in the region.
Enbridge spokesperson, Ryan Duffy said the existing permit was "legally valid." In a stipulation to dismiss the Bay Mills appeal, the company agreed to "not act on, attempt to use, or otherwise engage with permit WRP027179" and "allow it to expire on its own terms on February 25, 2026."
The project is still missing an additional federal permit, which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will decide whether to grant the permit in 2026. The tunnel would then take around four years to build. Despite calls from the state and Enbridge to expedite review, the USACE has not budged on changing its permitting timeline.
Editor's note: In the initial broadcast, WCMU incorrectly stated the permit was "revoked" by the state. The current version better describes the situation. We note Enbridge is a sponsor of WCMU. We report on them as we do with any other organization.
