press releaseImage of Mackinac Bridge with text below on the water, "Defuse the ticking time bomb in the Great Lakes"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

News from Progress Michigan.

Friday, May 10, 2024 

Contact: Denzel McCampbell, 313-400-0298, denzel@progressmichigan.org 

Revealed: Line 5 Tunnel Would Be Built By Trump Border Wall Contractor 

MICHIGAN – Recently multiple news sources reported that Canadian fossil fuel giant Enbridge selected two contractors to construct the Line 5 oil tunnel. One of the contractors named is Barnard Construction, whose subsidiary received a federal contract under President Donald Trump for $1 billion to build a border wall along the U.S. – Mexico border. Additionally, Barnard’s PAC heavily contributes to Republican candidates for office, as they donated nearly $300,000 to Republican candidates and PACs last election cycle. 

In response to this news, Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan, issued the following statement

“We’ve said for the past decade that oil and water don’t mix. The same is true for the dangerous combination of new dirty fossil fuel infrastructure and the xenophobic MAGA security state. It’s concerning that the Line 5 oil tunnel, located in the most sensitive spot in the Great Lakes, would be built by the same people who had a part in the inhumane and environmentally destructive Trump border wall. It’s no secret either that Enbridge donated to right-wing causes and groups like the Michigan Chamber of Commerce while also trying to derail Gov. Whitmer’s reelection. 

“Under no circumstances should a wealthy foreign fossil fuel corporation be directing the future of Michigan. Line 5 is America’s most dangerous pipeline, and anything but a shutdown is prolonging this threat to 20 percent of the world’s fresh, available surface water.” 

###