Straits of Mackinac

Jun 2, 2025

Army Corps analysis finds Great Lakes pipeline tunnel would have sweeping environmental impacts

Building an underground tunnel for Line 5 in Michigan could destroy animal habitats and wetlands, but it would cut the risk of oil spills from anchoring boats.

Jul 8, 2022

Michigan panel wants details on Great Lakes oil tunnel plan

A Michigan regulatory panel said Thursday that it needs more information about safety risks before it can rule on Enbridge Energy's plan to extend an oil pipeline through a tunnel beneath a waterway linking two of the Great Lakes.

Jul 23, 2021

Enbridge: Anchor in Straits of Mackinac will be recovered

An anchor will be recovered from the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac after it became detached from a cable during maintenance of an oil pipeline, Enbridge Energy said Friday.

Jun 24, 2021

Army Corps plans extensive review of Great Lakes tunnel plan

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday it would conduct an extensive review of Enbridge Energy's plan to build an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a Great Lakes channel in Michigan, which could significantly delay the project.

May 13, 2021

Company defies Michigan governor’s order to close pipeline

An Upper Midwestern oil pipeline continued operating on Wednesday, despite a shutdown demand from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that the operator warned could lead to fuel disruptions similar to those resulting from a cyberattack on an East Coast system.

May 11, 2021

Whitmer threatens seizing profits if pipeline keeps operating

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer threatened Tuesday to go after Enbridge's profits from a Great Lakes oil pipeline if the company defies her order to shut it down.

Jan 29, 2021

Michigan approves Great Lakes oil pipeline tunnel permits

Michigan's environmental agency said Friday it has approved construction of an underground tunnel to house a replacement for a controversial oil pipeline in a channel linking two of the Great Lakes.

Nov 25, 2020

Enbridge sues Michigan over order on pipeline shutdown

Enbridge filed a legal challenge on Tuesday to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's recent demand that the company shut down its oil pipeline that crosses the waterway connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

Aug 25, 2020

Pipeline tunnel supporters, foes clash before Michigan panel

Keeping a 64-year-old oil pipeline in operation by running one section through a proposed Great Lakes tunnel would protect the economy and energy supplies, supporters said Monday, whereas opponents described the project as an unnecessary risk that would contribute to global warming.

Jul 1, 2020

Michigan judge allows restart of disputed oil pipeline

A Michigan judge on Wednesday allowed Enbridge to resume pumping oil through a Midwestern pipeline, nearly a week after shutting it down because of damage to a structure that anchors a section of the line running through a Great Lakes channel.

Jun 23, 2020

Michigan asks judge to shut Enbridge pipeline in Great Lakes

The Michigan attorney general asked a judge on Monday to shut down a pipeline in the Great Lakes after an energy company discovered that an anchor support had shifted deep below the surface.

Jun 12, 2020

Court: Michigan Great Lakes tunnel deal constitutional

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that legislators did not violate the state constitution by allowing the construction of an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes, clearing the way for the project to proceed unless another court intervenes.