And we’ll show you two ways to help. Together, we can be a voice for change and protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health, and democracy.
Gretchen Whitmer’s administration just approved key state permits for Enbridge Energy’s proposed Line 5 tunnel project, dealing a devastating blow in the fight to shut down the pipeline running through our Great Lakes. The approval moves the controversial project one step closer to construction despite years of opposition from environmental advocates, Tribal Nations, scientific experts, and hundreds of thousands of Michiganders.
With these approvals, Enbridge is close to being able to start construction on the massive tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which would disturb wetlands, impact Great Lakes submerged lands and sensitive wildlife habitat, and threaten culturally significant and treaty-protected Tribal lands, including ancestral burial sites.
This decision is a betrayal of the promises Governor Whitmer made to Michiganders, Tribal Nations, and our communities.
When she first campaigned for governor in 2018 and throughout her two terms in office, Governor Whitmer has repeatedly pledged to protect the Great Lakes and shut down Line 5 for good. Instead, her administration has now approved permits that move Enbridge’s dangerous tunnel project forward, choosing to side with a foreign oil company over Michigan’s water, Tribal rights, economy, climate, and future.
The tunnel project exposes Michigan taxpayers to significant environmental and financial risks if something goes wrong. It also locks Michigan into decades more fossil fuel dependence while violating treaty rights and tribal sovereignty.
While additional state and federal approvals are still required before construction can begin, Governor Whitmer and her administration have betrayed Michigan.