Enbridge ‘disappointed’ as environmental review for Line 5 tunnel extended
Canadian pipeline big Enbridge Inc. has been dealt one other setback on its Line 5 alternative undertaking in Michigan.
The firm mentioned Thursday it was “disappointed” by news that the timeline of a U.S. federal overview of Enbridge’s proposed $500-million Great Lakes tunnel undertaking has been pushed again by greater than a yr.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) mentioned Thursday it now expects to finish its draft environmental affect assertion for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel allow utility in spring 2025, reasonably than late 2023 as earlier indicated.
In an emailed assertion, Enbridge spokesman Ryan Duffy mentioned the USACE’s determination to increase the allowing course of additional delays the alternative of the twin pipelines in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, and can basically push the beginning of development till a minimum of 2026.
“While we are supportive of a thorough, comprehensive and carefully considered permitting process that ensures adequate opportunity for review and comment, we are disappointed with the extended timeline for a project of this scope,” Duffy mentioned.
He added Enbridge first submitted its utility for the Great Lakes tunnel undertaking in April 2020.
“As such, the USACE is estimating it will need six years to review and issue a decision for the project,” Duffy mentioned.
Enbridge’s Great Lakes tunnel undertaking is meant to deal with a alternative section of its current Line 5 oil pipeline that crosses the underside of the straits connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
The firm mentioned the tunnel will likely be bored by rock, as a lot as 100 toes under the lakebed, to “virtually eliminate” the possibility of a pipeline spill affecting the Great Lakes.
It additionally mentioned the undertaking would cowl solely 6.4 km in size, require no development throughout the waters of the straits, and is anticipated to affect lower than one-quarter acre of wetlands.
However, the USACE revised its timeframe for the environmental overview after receiving greater than 17,000 public feedback throughout its preliminary “scoping period.”
“We greatly appreciate the meaningful input received throughout scoping and will use this information to shape studies and continuing consultations throughout development of our draft environmental impact statement.” mentioned USACE Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Brett Boyle in a news launch.
The growth comes as yet one more blow for Enbridge’s embattled Line 5 pipeline in Michigan. The pipeline – which transports as much as 540,000 barrels per day of sunshine crude oil, artificial crude and pure fuel liquids to be refined into propane – was inbuilt 1953 and provides 55 per cent of the state’s propane wants.
But in recent times, it has turn out to be a flashpoint for environmentalists and U.S. opponents of the fossil gasoline sector.
The state of Michigan itself has been in court docket for years with Enbridge in an effort to close down Line 5, fearing a catastrophe within the Straits of Mackinac, the ecologically delicate area the place the pipeline crosses the Great Lakes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed March 23, 2023.
