FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
January 29, 2021
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0572, sam@progresssmichigan.org
EGLE’s Approval for Enbridge Tunnel Under Mackinac Straits a Disgrace
Progress Michigan joins environmental advocates in calling for a full shutdown
MICHIGAN – Today, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) delivered a striking blow to the environmental justice movement in Michigan. EGLE granted permits to Enbridge, a multinational oil company with a history of polluting Michigan’s freshwater resources, to build a tunnel under the Mackinac Straits which scientific experts deem unsafe. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called for a complete shutdown of the Line 5 pipeline that Enbridge operates because of its outdated infrastructure and potential for disaster.
“EGLE’s decision to approve permits for a tunnel is shortsighted and misguided,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Enbridge’s history of countless lies and ignoring the science about Line 5 have made it clear that they cannot be trusted to continue operating this pipeline under Michigan’s most valuable resource––our freshwater. Both of our peninsulas deserve safe drinking water and clean lakes. We stand with indigenous tribes and environmental justice advocates in fighting against this toxic decision. We hope the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan Public Service Commission do their due diligence in keeping our waters safe, and we support the ongoing efforts of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel to shut down Line 5 once and for all.
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