The New Year brings renewed concerns about the risks of building a 21-foot diameter tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac for oil and gas pipelines.
It’s been just over a month since the Michigan Public Service Commission ruled that Enbridge Energy could install the new pipeline segment in its Great Lakes Tunnel project. However, residents say the decision puts communities and the environment at risk.
Enbridge says it would deactivate existing dual pipelines once the new line is installed, but Sean McBrearty, with the advocacy group Oil and Water Don’t Mix, says continuing the project risks adverse outcomes.
“Anything short of a shutdown is a grave threat to our environment, tourism, fishing, shipping and Great Lakes’ way of life.”
The Public Service Commission released a statement, saying, “Other modes of transporting Line 5’s products — such as by truck, rail, oil tanker or barges — likely would increase environmental impairment,” including spill risks.
Line 5 transports light crude oil and natural gas liquids, including propane used for home heating in Michigan. Its average capacity is 540,000 barrels per day.
