Upper Michigan, October 18, 2025
Permits for the controversial Line 5 pipeline project are currently under review in Upper Michigan, igniting discussions on its potential environmental impacts and the region’s energy requirements. State officials are carefully weighing their options to ensure the protection of the Great Lakes, amid growing concerns from environmental groups and local communities regarding the pipeline’s risks. The outcome of this review could influence Michigan’s energy future and set a precedent for similar infrastructure projects in environmentally sensitive areas.
Marquette, Michigan: Line 5 Pipeline Project Permits Under Review
Marquette, Michigan – The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority is currently reviewing permit applications for Enbridge’s Line 5 project, which proposes replacing the existing pipeline with a new tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. This development has reignited debates over environmental impacts and energy needs, with state officials weighing options to protect the Great Lakes region.
Permit Review Process
The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority is evaluating permit applications for Enbridge’s Line 5 project, which aims to replace the existing pipeline with a new tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The project includes burying the pipeline underground and incorporating a one-foot-thick concrete liner. Updates on the permit review process have been provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Michigan Supreme Court is also considering multiple appeals related to permits already filed, including a lawsuit filed in September alleging that the state violated state law in approving the Line 5 project. The Supreme Court has scheduled hearings for these appeals, with briefs from appellants due on November 14. The Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing public comments submitted on the project, with the final environmental impact statement expected to be completed this fall, followed by a record of decision 30 days later. The chair of the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority has stated that while nothing is final, they are prepared for construction to begin and will supervise the process accordingly.
Legal Challenges and Court Decisions
Enbridge’s plans to build a protective tunnel around a 4-mile stretch of its Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac have faced legal challenges. In February 2025, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) decision to approve permits for the $500 million project, rejecting arguments from environmental groups and Native American tribes that the commission failed to consider the overall need for the pipeline. The appellate court found that the commission acted reasonably and there was no basis for reversal. However, in April 2025, four Michigan tribes and environmental advocates appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision, arguing that the MPSC’s approval violated the Michigan Constitution and the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.
Environmental and Cultural Concerns
The Line 5 pipeline, operational since 1953, transports crude oil and natural gas liquids between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario. The proposed tunnel aims to encase the pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, a critical waterway connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Environmental groups and Native American tribes have raised concerns about the potential risks of oil spills in the Great Lakes, emphasizing the need to protect the region’s ecological, natural, and cultural resources. The Michigan Public Service Commission has acknowledged these concerns, stating that the replacement segment is a significant improvement over the existing dual pipeline configuration, virtually eliminating the risk of anchor strikes and serving as a secondary containment vessel in the event of a leak.
Next Steps
The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority continues to review the permit applications for Enbridge’s Line 5 project. The Michigan Supreme Court is expected to hear appeals related to the project’s permits, with briefs from appellants due on November 14. The Army Corps of Engineers is processing public comments and working towards the release of the final environmental impact statement, with a record of decision anticipated 30 days later. The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority is preparing to supervise construction if the project proceeds, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and addressing environmental and safety concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Line 5 pipeline project?
- The Line 5 pipeline project involves replacing the existing pipeline with a new tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac, including burying the pipeline underground and incorporating a one-foot-thick concrete liner.
- What is the current status of the permit review process?
- The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority is reviewing permit applications for Enbridge’s Line 5 project. Updates on the permit review process have been provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Have there been any legal challenges to the project?
- Yes, the project has faced legal challenges. In February 2025, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the Michigan Public Service Commission’s decision to approve permits for the project. However, in April 2025, four Michigan tribes and environmental advocates appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision.
- What are the environmental and cultural concerns associated with the project?
- Environmental groups and Native American tribes have raised concerns about the potential risks of oil spills in the Great Lakes, emphasizing the need to protect the region’s ecological, natural, and cultural resources. The Michigan Public Service Commission has acknowledged these concerns, stating that the replacement segment is a significant improvement over the existing dual pipeline configuration, virtually eliminating the risk of anchor strikes and serving as a secondary containment vessel in the event of a leak.
- What are the next steps for the project?
- The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority continues to review the permit applications for Enbridge’s Line 5 project. The Michigan Supreme Court is expected to hear appeals related to the project’s permits, with briefs from appellants due on November 14. The Army Corps of Engineers is processing public comments and working towards the release of the final environmental impact statement, with a record of decision anticipated 30 days later. The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority is preparing to supervise construction if the project proceeds, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and addressing environmental and safety concerns.
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Author: Construction MI News
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