Action
Whitmer: Finish the Job, Revoke the Remaining Permits for Line 5
Line 5 Pipeline
What is Happening?
On July 31, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned a key permit for the Line 5 tunnel granted by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Then on Labor Day — nearly 1,000 tribal citizens and water protectors participated in a peaceful Bridge Walk for Water in a unified call to shut down Line 5.
On September 9, Governor Whitmer responded to the pressure with a public statement promising that the State will “more thoroughly scrutinize the environmental consequences of the proposed tunnel” and a letter calling on Enbridge to find an alternative to Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
We are grateful that the Governor recognizes the tunnel is not the right answer and for her commitment to have the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) reconsider other permits in light of the Supreme Court’s decision. These statements and commitments are laudable. What matters most now is whether she follows words with action.
Send Governor Whitmer a Message
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Why Does it Matter?
To accomplish a true end to the tunnel project, there are still outstanding permits that should be revoked- permits that Governor Whitmer has the power to act on:
- The first allows Enbridge to conduct tunnel-building work, excavation, and associated construction activities within protected state wetlands and bottomlands.
- The second allows Enbridge to discharge millions of gallons of wastewater per day into Lake Michigan from tunnel construction, along with the potential discharge of water treatment chemical additives, metals, oil, and grease.
Defending these permits against challenges from environmental groups will drag the Line 5 fight on for longer, kicking the can down the road. The next governor or attorney general could use these permits to quickly revive the Line 5 tunnel project. It is critical NOT to allow these permits to stand, and to close the door on this dangerous and unnecessary oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
We’re calling on Governor Whitmer to go all in: don’t let the clock run out on your chance to do something. You have the power to put words into action. Revoke the permits, and cement your legacy as the governor who stopped Line 5.