Michigan’s New Opportunity to Protect the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a national treasure, holding 21% of the world’s fresh surface water and a critical resource for drinking water, tourism, recreation, and jobs. But for decades, these waters have been threatened by Canadian fossil fuel giant Enbridge’s Line 5, a 72-year-old crude oil pipeline. It runs through the Straits of Mackinac—a fragile, irreplaceable ecosystem protected by tribal treaty.
With a new administration in Washington, DC, prioritizing Big Oil, Michigan faces a renewed challenge in 2025 to protect this natural resource. However, the State of Michigan holds a powerful opportunity to act decisively by denying the permit to expand Line 5 into a tunnel through the Great Lakes.
Michigan Has the Power—and Responsibility—to Act
While federal policies in 2025 might favor oil interests, the State of Michigan has clear authority and a legal duty to safeguard its natural resources. Under state and federal environmental laws, the proposed Line 5 tunnel requires a clean water permit. Crucially, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has the authority to deny permits that would harm water quality, threaten ecosystems, or perpetuate climate risks.
By denying this required Line 5 oil tunnel permit, Michigan can take a stand to protect its waters and its communities.
ACT NOW
Now is the time for action. Michigan residents and concerned citizens across the country must raise their voices. Use the form below to contact Governor Whitmer and copy EGLE Director Roos to demand that EGLE deny the Line 5 tunnel permit. Together, we can ensure that the Great Lakes are protected for future generations.
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What is at Stake?
The Growing Threat of Line 5
Line 5’s aging infrastructure poses an ever-present danger of catastrophic failure. A rupture in the Straits of Mackinac would spill millions of gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids into the Great Lakes, contaminating drinking water for millions and devastating ecosystems that support regional industries and wildlife. Despite well-documented threats and an order of decommissioning from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Enbridge continues to operate the pipeline, banking on plans to replace the existing underwater segment with a tunnel under the Straits.
But this so-called solution is no solution at all. The construction of a new pipeline tunnel would massively disrupt the ecosystem, destroy wetlands, and contaminate the Great Lakes. Moreover, under a backroom deal struck by Enbridge and former Gov. Rick Snyder, Michigan taxpayers would be stuck for 100 years with owning a risky underwater tunnel and the financial costs of any failure. The oil tunnel would also extend the life of dangerous polluting fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when urgent climate action is needed.
Shockingly, no federal or state agencies charged with protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan have considered the impact of tunnel construction on the environment, tribal sovereignty, shipping navigation, or the climate. However, Michigan now has a new opportunity–and a responsibility–to comprehensively examine the real impacts and costs of a massive oil tunnel in the Great Lakes.
Why Deny the Tunnel Permit?
- Protecting Water Quality and Ecosystems: Building a tunnel through the Straits of Mackinac risks construction-related pollution and permanent harm to sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Even with a tunnel, oil spills from other parts of the 645-mile Line 5 pipeline remain a significant risk.
- Economic and Community Impact: The Great Lakes support a $7 billion fishing industry and a $20 billion tourism industry. A pipeline disaster would jeopardize these sectors and the livelihoods of countless Michiganders. Rejecting the tunnel would prioritize long-term economic stability over short-term oil profits.
- Alternatives Exist: Michigan and the Midwest have more viable, less costly energy alternatives that do not rely on Line 5. Energy companies can use existing infrastructure or invest in renewable energy solutions, ensuring reliable energy delivery without the risks posed by Line 5. Further, Enbridge experts testified that decommissioning Line 5 would increase gas prices by 0.5 cents per gallon.
- Tunnel Explosion Risk: The proposed tunnel through the Straits of Mackinac poses a significant explosion risk because the enclosed space concentrates highly flammable natural gas liquids (NGLs), which Line 5 transports. A leak or rupture within the tunnel could create a dangerous buildup of explosive vapors, and even a small ignition source could trigger a catastrophic blast. Enbridge’s history of pipeline failures raises further concerns about the company’s ability to manage this risk safely.
- Addressing the Climate Crisis: The replacement pipeline would lock in decades of fossil fuel use, undermining critical efforts to transition to renewable energy. Denying the permit aligns with Michigan’s commitments to addressing climate change and promoting clean energy solutions.
This is just scratching the surface. See the more than two dozen reasons why the Line 5 oil tunnel permit must be denied.
A Turning Point for the Great Lakes
The Bay Mills Indian Community challenged Enbridge's original EGLE tunnel permit, forcing the company to reveal that the tunnel's environmental impacts are far worse than initially claimed. The decision to deny the Line 5 tunnel permit represents a critical moment for Michigan. Michigan can continue its legacy of environmental stewardship and responsible governance by choosing to protect the Great Lakes over accommodating Big Oil. The Great Lakes are a shared heritage, and their protection is held in the public trust as a state responsibility and a moral obligation.