Labor Unions, Workers, Job Makers Applaud EGLE for Key Great Lakes Tunnel Permit

Great Lakes Michigan Jobs Coalition Stands Together to Back Construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel

Lansing, Mich – Labor unions, business leaders, and workforce organizations representing workers, job creators, and industry leaders in Michigan and across Michigan today celebrated the latest permit granted by EGLE for construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel.

Today’s permit renewal is just the latest victory for energy affordability, workforce, and economic development advocates who’ve worked together for years to protect the Great Lakes and Michigan jobs by making an already safe Line 5 pipeline even safer by moving a portion of the pipeline into a state of the art Great Lakes Tunnel.

“Today’s permit from EGLE is exciting news because it’s a step towards the kind of energy infrastructure project that means good jobs and affordable energy,” said Brent Pilarski, Business Manager for the Michigan Laborers District Council. “Michigan labor is ready to get to work.”

UP Construction Council Executive Director Mike Smith echoed labor’s support for the Tunnel: “Union members across the Upper Peninsula back the Tunnel because it protects the Great Lakes, creates and supports great jobs and great paychecks, and it’s a big part of our energy mix. Today’s news represents just one more important step on that path, and we’re eager for regulators to give every green light needed to start construction.”

Small Business Association of Michigan President & CEO Brian Calley said: “The approval of state permits marks a long-awaited step forward for the Great Lakes Tunnel project and for Michigan’s small business community. This project represents the best path forward for protecting the Great Lakes while ensuring reliable, affordable energy for small businesses and families across our state. We appreciate the work that has gone into reaching this point and look forward to seeing the project continue to move forward.”

Residents across both peninsulas rely on Line 5 for affordable home heating fuel and much more. Job makers and workers rely on Line 5 for the fuel they need to make the products residents depend on, to provide good paying jobs, and to power their work sites.

The Great Lakes Tunnel energy infrastructure project was approved by the Michigan legislature and signed by the governor in 2018.  State experts have concluded that the risk of a spill into the straits from the Tunnel is “virtually zero.” Construction of the Tunnel is the answer.

Line 5 delivers approximately 23 million gallons per day of fuel Michigan and surrounding states use to gas up their cars, power their equipment at work, and create jobs. 

"We appreciate today's decision and EGLE's careful, science-based review of this permit," said Mike Witkowski, Director of Environmental Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association. "The Great Lakes Tunnel represents an important investment in modernizing Michigan's critical energy infrastructure while ensuring reliable energy delivery for manufacturers, communities, and families across the state. MMA looks forward to continued progress on this project and appreciates the commitment to a thorough, transparent permitting process."

Said Jim Holcomb, president & CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce: "Safe, reliable and affordable energy is foundational to Michigan's employers, families, communities and economy. The Great Lakes Tunnel is a major investment and commonsense solution that enhances protection of the Great Lakes while ensuring the long-term reliability of critical energy infrastructure across our state and region. We applaud today's decision and look forward to seeing this important project become a reality."

Said Derek Dalling, Executive Director of the Michigan Propane Gas Association: "Line 5 couldn’t be more important for Michiganders who rely on propane, and today’s permits couldn’t be more important to keep that clean energy flowing. Michigan relies on Line 5 and we're counting on the Tunnel."

Leading Michigan voices from labor, business and industry formed the Great Lakes Michigan Jobs coalition.  They work together, encouraging state and federal agencies currently reviewing permit applications – and all Michiganders – to embrace the Tunnel project, and the lakes and jobs it protects.

Overwhelming majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents support construction of the Tunnel, believe it’s the best solution for Line 5, and want the state to move forward immediately with permitting for the project, according to recent survey results.