The company reached a deal with former Republican Gov.
The commission said Wednesday that in evaluating whether to issue a permit, it would not pass judgment on whether the entire 645-mile (1,038-kilometre) line that runs across northern
Environmental activists and Native tribes who oppose Line 5 had urged the commission to consider that question, contending the entire pipeline is a hazard.
The agency said instead it would focus only on the 4-mile-long (6.4-kilometre-long) section that crosses the straits connecting
“The issue of public need for the pipelinehas been a long-settled matter since the pipeline was first approved in 1953,” it said.
But the commission sided with pipeline opponents by ruling that emissions of climate-warming gases would be among factors it considers in determining whether to issue the permit.
Line 5 daily carries about 23 million gallons (87 million litres) of crude oil and natural gas liquids from
The commission said it was required under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act to consider not only pollution from building the tunnel and new pipeline segment, but also from the petroleum liquids they transport.
The agency didn't say how much weight it would give that issue in determining whether to grant the permit but said it would welcome evidence.
“They recognize these gases are a pollutant and impact the environment because they contribute to climate change,” said
“Our aim is simple,” the company said. “To replace the two pipelines in the straits with an even safer pipeline encased in a concrete tunnel well below the lakebed.”
“The decision turned a blind eye toward consideration of tribal nations, which will be most impacted by this tunnel proposal,” Gravelle said.
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