Two organizations advocate for Line 5 Tunnel
Urge U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite approvals
March 12, 2025
Leaders from the Institute for Energy Research (IER) and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are among those urging the swift completion of the federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the proposed Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel project.
Tom Pyle, IER president, and Jason Hayes, director of energy and environmental policy for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The February letter emphasized the urgent need for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the process in alignment with President Trump's January 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 Pyle.
“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.”
A June 2018 analysis conducted for the State confirmed that relocating the pipeline into a secure, underground tunnel 100 feet below the lakebed would reduce the risk of environmental harm to the Great Lakes while ensuring uninterrupted energy supply.
“We call on Secretary Hegseth to advocate for the swift completion of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Line 5 Tunnel. 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.”
—Tom Pyle, President of the Institute for Energy Research
A key ruling by the Michigan Public Service Commission in December 2023 affirmed the public need for the pipeline’s replacement section, yet the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has delayed completion of the federal EIS.
Originally expected to be completed in 2023, the EIS process has taken more than five years.
The inaction continues to delay construction of a project that would mitigate the environmental risks associated with the pipeline while securing critical energy infrastructure for the Midwest.
“This project balances environmental protection with protecting energy resources essential to the well-being of Midwest families and businesses,” said Hayes. “Delays prolong the risks opponents claim to want to avoid.
“The Trump administration should seize this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to unleashing North American energy and promoting energy dominance. No more inaction! It’s time to get the Line 5 Tunnel built!”
Click here to read the letter in its entirety.
