In my career as an early childhood professional, and as a County Commissioner for Emmet County (at the southern end of the Straits), the need to responsibly assess risks arose on a daily basis.
The assessment of every risk is twofold: it weighs the magnitude of harm against the frequency of occurrence. Every risk inescapably involves these two considerations.
The frequency of harm for Line 5 is admittedly low. But it is not nonexistent. The magnitude of harm, on the other hand, is catastrophic. Our Great Lakes comprise 20% of the world’s surface fresh water. The magnitude of harm for the planet would be immeasurable.
Alternative corridors and alternative energies exist.
I respectfully and earnestly implore you to not impose this magnitude of harm on our conscience, or on the wellbeing of our successors.
Deborah J. Rohe
Inadequate Risk Assessment Protocol
The Line 5 tunnel project proceeds without a comprehensive risk assessment framework—a fundamental requirement for infrastructure projects of this magnitude that present substantial threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, regional climate stability, and long-term environmental sustainability.
Technical and Safety Deficiencies
Independent tunnel engineering specialists have identified significant concerns regarding the proposed placement of tunnel infrastructure beneath the lakebed. These experts characterize the undertaking as technically complex, operationally hazardous, and logistically problematic. Additional concerns have been raised regarding occupational safety protocols for personnel involved in pipeline construction and ongoing operational maintenance.
Questionable Justification for Expedited Approval
The claimed “energy emergency” cited as rationale for accelerated project approval lacks substantive evidence and appears to be driven by political considerations rather than legitimate energy security concerns. Such justifications should not supersede established public safety protocols and environmental protection standards.
Catastrophic Economic and Environmental Risk Profile
A petroleum release incident within the Great Lakes system would result in severe consequences for regional drinking water supplies, ecosystem integrity, and Michigan’s economic foundation. The Great Lakes economy directly supports 1.3 million employment positions, representing $82 billion in annual wages that would face significant jeopardy in the event of contamination.
Climate Policy Contradictions
Project approval would commit the region to extended fossil fuel infrastructure dependency for multiple decades, directly contradicting climate mitigation objectives and public health protection goals. Comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and associated health impacts remains incomplete and must be conducted prior to any approval decision.
Consultation Failures with Indigenous Stakeholders
Tribal nations and Indigenous communities have not received meaningful consultation opportunities throughout the project development process. Federal trust responsibilities, treaty obligations, and Indigenous rights require proper acknowledgment and incorporation into all decision-making procedures.
Line 5 should be retired and removed. Running a pipeline under the water is an unnecessary risk that should no longer exist.
We strongly support Line 5 and the Great Lakes Tunnel, and urge you to grant the permits necessary to begin construction.
The Small Business Association of Michigan represents over 33,000 small businesses across our great state. We know that the Great Lakes Tunnel is a critical investment in Michigan’s economic future—ensuring small business owners have reliable, affordable access to the fuel they need to operate, deliver products, and grow. By moving the pipeline into a state-of-the-art tunnel, the project strengthens energy security while significantly reducing environmental risk. It’s a smart, balanced solution that protects both our natural resources and the small businesses that power communities across Michigan.
It’s time to build the Great Lakes Tunnel.
Since the permitting process began 5 years ago, Enbridge has conducted more than 40,000 hours of survey work in the Straits, providing their results to permitters. This has been one of the most comprehensive project reviews in Michigan’s history.
Preparing to build a major, once-in-a-generation piece of infrastructure like the Great Lakes Tunnel takes intense study and thoughtful planning. In constructing the tunnel, Enbridge is working with state and federal agencies to study and develop plans that will minimize and mitigate impacts to the natural environment, natural resources, cultural heritage and community priorities.
That work matters, and it’s been handled with incredible attention and care.
Tunnels are common and are proven infrastructure that many of us use every day. The Great Lakes Tunnel will be built safely, and what’s more, it will make an already safe Line 5 pipeline even safer by getting a portion of the line out of the water and into a tunnel deep below the lakebed.
The Great Lakes Tunnel energy infrastructure project was approved by the Michigan legislature and signed by the governor in 2018. Construction of the Tunnel is a matter of public law.
State experts have concluded that the risk of a spill into the straits from the Tunnel is “virtually zero.”
Line 5 delivers up to 23 million gallons per day of the fuel Michigan and surrounding states use to gas up their cars, power their equipment at work, and create jobs.
The Great Lakes Tunnel is not just an energy project-it’s a strategic infrastructure investment for Michigan.
Overwhelming majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents support construction of the Tunnel, believe it’s the best solution for Line 5. Our members support it, too.
On behalf of our members, we ask you to move forward immediately with permitting for construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel.
Signed,
Brian Calley
President & CEO
Small Business Association of Michigan
101 S. Washington Square Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933
The crude oil being transported from Canada to Canada benefits a Canadian oil company and barely supplements United States supplies.. By completion, the need for transporting that oil may very well have been reduced or eliminated by use of other fuel sources. This project looks backward as it overlooks the future of the fresh water so needed and loved by all our citizens and tribal members. Protection of the Great Lakes should more important than the Enron Bottom Line.
I am writing to you today to please reconsider the proposed tunnel project for Line 5 under the Straights of Mackinac. The Line 5 tunnel project has not undergone a comprehensive risk assessment, which is crucial for a project that poses risks to the Great Lakes, our climate, and our future.
Many tunnel experts who have reviewed Enbridge’s plans share concerns for the logistics of placing a tunnel under the lakebed, considering it to be complicated, dangerous, and technically challenging. Experts also share concerns for the workers who are subjected to the dangerous pipeline construction and operations.
The supposed “energy emergency” used to justify fast-tracking this project is false and politically motivated, and should not override public safety and environmental protections.
An oil spill in the Great Lakes would be catastrophic for drinking water, wildlife, and Michigan’s economy. More than 1.3 million jobs, equating to $82 billion in wages, are directly tied to the Great Lakes. Enbridge has already been responsible for the largest inland oil spill. In 2010, one of their pipes burst into the Kalamazoo River which lead to taxpayer money to clean up the mess and hurt businesses like breweries since they couldn’t use the water from the river.
Approving this tunnel locks us into decades of fossil fuel dependency, exacerbating the climate and public health crises; it must be thoroughly assessed for its greenhouse gas emissions and health impacts before proceeding. We need to move away from fossil fuels as our survival as a species depends on it.
Tribal nations and Indigenous communities have not been meaningfully consulted. Their rights, treaties, and voices must be honored.
Thank you for reading through my concerns. I hope you reconsider the proposed tunnel project over line 5.
Sincerely,
Jessica Amey
This stupid plan to mine for copper immediately adjacent to the world’s largest collection of surface fresh water does not even care about the damage they will do. Let alone any damage they might do!
My guess is this greedy foreign mining corporation does not care whether they poison our water.
And if they do, they will lie about it and pick-up and leave the mess for us to clean up!
I bet they won’t even pay a fine.