Enbridge to move forward with tunnel permitting amid pandemic, Interlochen Public Radio reports

By Kaye LaFond, Interlochen Public Radio

Enbridge Energy will not delay submitting permits for its controversial Great Lakes Tunnel Project because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tribal governments that oppose the project want Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to slow the process down. They say it’s impossible to prepare for public comment and official tribal consultations when most tribal staff are sheltering in place.

“We continue to work on preparing our joint permit application,” said Enbridge spokesman Ryan Duffy in an email statement. “We are looking at submitting that this month. As part of our agreements with the state of Michigan we are working under a set timeline that has required deadlines for moving the tunnel project forward.”

Read the rest of the article here at Interlochen Public Radio’s website.

Catch up on Great Lakes Now‘s coverage of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline:

Enbridge hires companies to design, build Great Lakes tunnel

Energy Alternatives: Outside of Line 5, where can Michiganders get energy?

Look Back at Line 5: Check out the archives of the pipeline’s original construction

Featured image: In this June 8, 2017, file photo, fresh nuts, bolts and fittings are ready to be added to the east leg of the Line 5 pipeline near St. Ignace, Michigan. (Dale G. Young/Detroit News via AP)