How does the Great Lakes Tunnel protect the Great Lakes? . . .

The Great Lakes Tunnel will completely encase a newly constructed Line 5 pipeline in a thick layer of concrete far below the lakebed, allowing for the decommissioning and removal of the existing line off the lakebed surface.

It’s vital infrastructure that will protect our precious waterways, fish and wildlife by ensuring nothing can damage the pipeline. What’s more, the tunnel will help give safety workers and inspectors better access to the line, so they can monitor and maintain it most effectively.

Who uses Line 5? . . .

If you live in Michigan, YOU do. Line 5 supplies light oil and natural gas liquids to energy companies, manufacturers, suppliers, transportation interests, and households across the entire state.

Line 5 products fuel Michigan’s cars, trucks and jets. They offer light and heat to our homes, schools, hospitals, activities and workplaces. They help our farmers bring high-quality food to our tables. And, best of all, Line 5 products become the building blocks of more than 6,000 manufactured items we use every day—from toothbrushes and Scotch tape to clothing, roof materials, automotive parts and technology components.

Without Line 5, Michigan would struggle for much-needed resources that support our economy, keep our state’s residents safe, warm and healthy, and help our state and local budgets stay in balance.

That’s why we fully support the development of that extra layer of security—a thick concrete tunnel to keep the pipeline safe and secure far below the lakebed. It’s infrastructure that makes sense for our Great Lakes and Michigan jobs.

Why does Michigan need the Great Lakes Tunnel? . . .

Michigan wins when we protect the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Tunnel is a modern infrastructure project that will safeguard our precious natural resources, including fish and wildlife, while permitting Line 5 to continue powering Michigan’s economy by securing the jobs our families need.

The Great Lakes Tunnel will be at least 10 feet in diameter and over 4 miles long—big enough for pipeline workers (and, one, day, telecommunications providers or other companies in need of underwater infrastructure) to work inside the tunnel on inspection and maintenance projects. It’s a vital Michigan asset over the long term, and it’s going to be entirely paid for by the company that operates Line 5.

That’s right. Michigan taxpayers won’t pay a dime—and they will receive a lasting win for both the environment and the economy.

How will the tunnel be built? . . .

The Great Lakes Tunnel will be drilled with the help of a massive, high-tech tunnel boring machine, or TBM. The machine will enter the earth from on shore and begin to cut out the earth as it goes, kind of like a giant electric drill reaching far below the lakebed. . As the TBM moves, it will stabilize the rock and soil in front of it, then grind through,making sure the lakebed is secure above, and leaving a stable, thick concrete tunnel in its wake. Ultimately, a newly constructed Line 5 will be re-routed to pass through this tunnel and the existing line will be decommissioned.

It’s a complex, but common, process used around the world to build tunnels that are used for many purposes. What’s vitally important is the work taking place now to carefully map the rock beneath the lakebed. Currently, geologic experts are taking rock and soil samples and working to ensure they know as much as they can before they even begin building the TBM. Why? They’re on a tight five-year timeline for construction, and they don’t want to cause even a day’s delay down the road. The TBM must be ready to move through any and all geological conditions it may encounter.

For a full video that shows how the tunnel construction project will move forward, click here.

Why does Line 5 matter to Michigan’s economy? . . .

A Line 5 closure would immediately impact more than 47,000 direct and indirect jobs in our state, devastating Michigan families and dramatically impacting millions of dollars in personal income.

And that’s only the beginning.

Hundreds of millions in capital investment would evaporate. State and local units of government—including Michigan schools—would lose tens of millions in tax revenue. Line 5 supports millions in property taxes, sales and use taxes, and income tax revenues for schools and communities along its route and, in many communities, is the single largest taxpayer.

But perhaps most dangerous and costly of all are the expenses associated with using alternative methods to transport heat and energy sources across Michigan in the absence of Line 5. Experts suggest the only viable options are rail and truck transportation, and neither our rail lines nor our roads are prepared to support the massively increased traffic that would result. Think Michigan has a transportation infrastructure problem now? Just wait.

What about the price of fuel? . . .

Without Line 5, Michigan would have to buy petroleum from other states and transport it here over land. This would result in an estimated 2,100 truckloads and 800 rail cars of fuel coming into our state every single day.

Michigan has higher vehicle weight limits, so new trucks would be needed to meet out-of-state standards. A huge number of drivers would need to be trained and licensed, and fresh infrastructure would need to be built. It is likely the cost of fuel would increase over and above the normal fluctuations seen in our market.

Thus, despite falling incomes and tax revenues, many families, businesses, schools and hospitals would face higher energy costs. What’s more, Michigan manufacturers would face higher production costs for the petroleum-based items they make – costs that would get passed onto customers like you and me in the price of many products and services we depend upon.

But isn’t this just a U.P. problem? . . .

While it’s true that Line 5 meets 65 percent of the propane heating demand in the Upper Peninsula—which would, indeed, force a crisis if the line were to close—the entire state loses in the event of a line closure.

First, Michigan’s Lower Peninsula uses 95 percent of the state’s propane by volume. A shortage of propane would result in just as much hardship downstate as up north. Statewide, Michigan is the top residential consumer of propane in the entire U.S.

But, even more than that, Line 5 provides:

• Enough gas to fill 1 million passenger cars and trucks each day,
• Enough diesel to fill 6,000 semitractor-trailers per day,
• Enough jet fuel to fly 883 commercial planes per day, and
• Enough propane to heat 300,000 Michigan homes per year.

Replacing the lost fuel supply in the event of a Line 5 closure would cripple Michigan’s ability to move its economy forward—statewide.

Is Line 5 safe for Michigan? . . .

Yes. Enbridge seeks to meet or exceed all applicable safety standards at all times—and all Line 5 inspections have shown the pipeline to be environmentally sound and secure. In fact, most safety engineers praise the pipeline’s structural integrity.

But Michiganders want to add an additional layer of infrastructure protection around the line. That is why we support building a new pipeline through a new large concrete tunnel, it’s easier for the line to be maintained while ensuring next to no risks to our Great Lakes.

Haven’t there already been accidents and leaks in Line 5? . . .

For more than 65 years, Line 5 has been extraordinarily safe and secure. There has never been a leak in the Straits of Mackinac.

The only incident related to the pipeline’s safety as it moves across the Mackinac Straits was a 2018 anchor strike. Thanks to the exceptional construction and maintenance of Line 5, the only damage was three dents to the pipeline’s outer coating. The incident justifiably furthered a statewide discussion about the safety of Line 5, and resulted in a plan to build the Great Lakes Tunnel far below the lakebed – removing altogether the risk of another anchor strike.

How is Line 5 monitored? . . .

Whether over land or under the water, the structural integrity of Line 5 is continually monitored in multiple ways.

• Line 5 is monitored 24/7 by a dedicated team of specially trained pipeline operators at Enbridge’s state-of-the-art control center;
• Inline inspection tools are used to evaluate the condition of the line from inside. These high-tech imaging tools can detect cracks, corrosion and dents.
• Line 5 has special valves that automatically close if a drop in pressure occurs.
• Remote Operated Vehicles are sent underwater to inspect the condition of the pipeline from the outside.
• Helicopters and other visual tools survey the line from the air to watch for hazards.

When a safety concern is identified, the pipeline valves can be shut down remotely in as little as three minutes.

Which companies and agencies have responsibility for overseeing Line 5? . . .

Line 5 is owned and operated by Enbridge. The company works closely with a number of local, state and federal partners to ensure the line’s safety, transparency and accountability:

• The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• The Michigan Public Service Commission (permits only)
• The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (permits only)

In recent years, Enbridge has worked closely and directly with the Michigan governor and attorney general to make plans for the Great Lakes Tunnel and ensure its safe, timely completion.

What was the agreement between Enbridge and former Gov. Rick Snyder? . . .

In 2018, then-Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Legislature agreed to the Great Lakes Tunnel project in partnership with Line 5 operators. The tunnel is going to be built with funding provided by Enbridge, with construction and long-term maintenance overseen by the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority, which will own the new tunnel.

Under the agreement, payments and liability for future repairs and maintenance issues will remain with Enbridge, which is required to keep ample funds on hand.

In other words, the state is protected from paying for any costs associated with the tunnel construction, pipeline replacement or ongoing operations, including the unlikely event of a spill.

Where does the tunnel project stand now? . . .

Currently, the tunnel agreement is being honored by Enbridge, who is attempting to make forward progress.

Attorney General Nessel has filed a lawsuit in the Ingham County Circuit Court, seeking to stop the flow of products in the pipeline by shutting down the existing Line 5.

At the same time, Enbridge has asked the Michigan Court of Claims to uphold the legislation passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed by the governor, as well as its 2018 agreements with the state and the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority. The Michigan Legislature and Michigan Chamber of Commerce have filed briefs in support of the legislation. The action was needed to ensure Line 5 can continue to support Michigan’s economy while the new tunnel is being built.

Currently, both lawsuits are still pending.

What You Can Do . . .

• Join the Great Lakes, Michigan Jobs Coalition. Show your support for our state’s environment and economy. All it takes is a moment to sign up—we’ll take it from there.
• Contact your lawmakers. Tell them to end the stalemate and help build the Great Lakes Tunnel.
• Encourage your friends and family to join the coalition too.

More voices means more encouragement for policy leaders’ action! Share the link, join us on social media, and let’s get the tunnel built!