News

Michigan lawmakers voting in favor have a case of tunnel vision.

Today, the Michigan House of Representatives voted to pass HR 91, a resolution that supports President Trump’s energy policies with a specific focus on his work to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fast-track permitting for the Line 5 oil tunnel.

In response to this news, Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for the Oil & Water Don’t Mix coalition, issued the following statement:

“The lawmakers who voted today to support HR 91 have a case of tunnel vision. What passed today is a nonbinding resolution - nothing more than political theater - but it merits closer scrutiny. This resolution is meant to protect wealthy fossil fuel interests so they can get away with record profits and pollution under this so-called ‘energy emergency’ that Trump made up - all while his campaign donors benefit. Expert reports from PLG Consulting show that Michigan doesn’t need Line 5 and that alternatives exist to this aging oil infrastructure. As our lawmakers work to boost the Line 5 tunnel’s fast-track, under an Army Corps process that has already been deeply flawed, to build an unprecedented oil tunnel underneath one of the most ecologically sensitive parts of the Great Lakes, our governor has a clear responsibility to stand up to this nonsense. Will she defend the Great Lakes and direct the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to reject Enbridge’s permit for the tunnel, or will she give the fossil fuel industry a free pass?"