The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has expedited permits for a protective tunnel around an aging Enbridge oil pipeline beneath the Great Lakes, raising concerns about environmental impact and perpetuating fossil fuel use. This decision follows President Trump’s order to fast-track energy infrastructure projects. The tunnel project on Line 5 was designated an emergency, drawing criticism from various groups, including the Sierra Club and the Great Lakes Business Network.
Enbridge defends Line 5 as safe but seeks to encase it in a protective tunnel due to spill risks. Despite ongoing legal battles and environmental concerns, Enbridge aims to replace the pipeline section beneath the straits with a new tunnel at an estimated cost of $500 million. The company faces opposition from environmentalists, tribal nations, and state officials seeking to void permits for the project.
In Wisconsin, Enbridge is entangled in a legal dispute with the Bad River Band over Line 5’s reroute. The tribe argues for the line’s removal from the reservation, prompting Enbridge to propose a 41-mile reroute. Legal challenges persist, reflecting the broader contention surrounding Enbridge’s pipeline projects.
The fast-tracking of the tunnel project has led to the cessation of consultations with seven Native American tribes, raising concerns about treaty rights and environmental impacts. While Enbridge maintains the necessity of the tunnel for energy infrastructure, opposition from various stakeholders continues to shape the ongoing legal and environmental battles surrounding Line 5.
