FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
May 14, 2025
Contacts:
Levi Teitel, levi@progressmichigan.org
Nora Naughton, nora.naughton@sierraclub.org
Michigan Republicans Boost Trump’s Great Lakes Oil Tunnel
LANSING, Mich. – In response to the news that the Michigan House of Representatives voted to pass a resolution today which supports President Trump’s energy policies including permitting for the Enbridge Line 5 project, organizations are blasting the push from Michigan Republicans to place support for Trump’s misguided energy policies over the Great Lakes.
“This resolution isn’t just about Line 5 – it’s about MAGA Republicans’ bid to cozy up to Trump and his oil industry buddies,” said Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Trump directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fast-track the Line 5 oil tunnel under the guise of a concocted ‘energy emergency’ ignores the fact that a vast majority of the product which flows through the aging pipeline goes straight to Canadian markets. This resolution also ignores the impact Michigan families are facing with Trump’s disastrous trade war with Canada and fails to mention that shutting down Line 5 entirely would only impact energy prices by half a penny. Meanwhile, reports have shown that decommissioning Line 5 would create more jobs than building this dangerous oil tunnel. Michigan Republicans need to stop playing games with our Great Lakes and work towards delivering real solutions to improve our lives – and the tunnel sure as hell isn’t one.”
“Michigan Republicans’ support of Donald Trump’s decision to fast track the Line 5 tunnel is just more proof that for these elected officials, Big Oil and corporate interests come before the safety and well-being of the people they represent,” said Elayne Coleman, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director. “The truth is that fast-tracking the Line 5 tunnel puts Michiganders at risk for catastrophic damage. An oil spill would contaminate the water for tens of millions, cost billions of taxpayer dollars to clean up, and destroy Michigan fishing and tourism. We urge Democrats who oppose this resolution to join us in asking Governor Whitmer to step in, stop the Line 5 tunnel, and protect Michigan and the Great Lakes. We can’t give in to Trump and oil pipeline billionaires.”
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