IER, Mackinac urge Defense Secretary to expedite Line 5 Tunnel construction

Earlier this week, officials from the Institute for Energy Research (IER) and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urging the swift completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the proposed Line 5 Tunnel project in Michigan. The letter emphasizes the urgent need for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the process in alignment with President Trump’s January 2025 executive order declaring a national energy emergency and advocating for the enhancement and rapid development of national energy infrastructure.

“The completion of the Line 5 Tunnel will not only protect the Great Lakes but will also ensure the continued flow of essential energy resources to millions of people across the region," said Tom Pyle, President of the IER. "For years, politicians have blocked efforts to relocate the pipeline, even threatening to shut it down entirely, all while failing to propose viable alternatives for the people who rely on the resources transported by Line 5. These delays directly contradict their stated environmental goals, as the proposed tunnel would significantly mitigate the risks that have been asserted about the pipeline."

"We call on Secretary Hegseth to advocate for the swift completion of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Line 5 Tunnel," Pyle continued. "We urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite the EIS approval, advancing the construction of the Line 5 Tunnel to address the critical energy needs of the American people.”

“The Army Corps of Engineers should act quickly to finalize the Environmental Impact Statement and expedite the federal permits needed to begin construction of the Line 5 Tunnel," added Jason Hayes, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. "This project balances environmental protection with protecting energy resources essential to the well-being of Midwest families and businesses. Delays prolong the risks opponents claim to want to avoid." 

Background:

Line 5, which has been operational since 1953, has been a focal point of energy debates for years, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel leading efforts to shut it down, citing environmental concerns. However, these officials have failed to present a viable alternative for supplying energy to the region, which relies heavily on the pipeline for its energy needs.

The EIS process has already taken nearly four years and was originally expected to be completed in 2023. The delay continues to hold up the construction of the Line 5 Tunnel, a project that would mitigate the environmental risks associated with the pipeline while securing critical energy infrastructure for the Midwest.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the Consumer Energy Alliance have highlighted the importance of Line 5, noting that the pipeline supplies 55% of the propane used by over 223,000 Michigan households and is vital for refineries across the region. The pipeline also contributes over $20 billion to the regional economy, sustaining tens of thousands of jobs.

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