Coalition of Workers, Businesses, Affordability Advocates Back 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 echoed their continued strong support for construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel and permits needed to break ground.
EGLE previously issued permits in 2021, again earlier this year, and in recent years the company building the Tunnel has taken significant additional steps to minimize or eliminate environmental and other impacts related to construction.
The Great Lakes Tunnel has the strong support of a wide majority of Michigan residents, and will represent a victory for energy affordability, workforce, and economic development.
“Governor Whitmer’s actions to further delay the Great Lakes Tunnel Project are puzzling, and a slap in the face of every skilled tradesperson who has supported her.,” said Brent Pilarski, Business Manager of the Michigan Laborers District Council. “Politicians often speak on affordability, sustainability, and protecting the middle class. The Great Lakes tunnel accomplishes that and more; it will create good paying union jobs, provide energy security for Michigan, and gets the pipeline off the lakebed where it currently resides. When there is a commonsense solution like the Great Lakes Tunnel, it is shocking how some cannot take “yes” as an answer.”
Said Mike Witkowski, Director of Environmental Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association: "The Great Lakes Tunnel Project has overcome numerous permitting and legal hurdles because it is grounded in sound science, strong engineering, and a commitment to modernizing Michigan's critical infrastructure. The project's long-term merits remain unchanged. MMA will continue advocating for a science-based permitting process that allows this important investment to move forward."
UP Construction Council Executive Director Mike Smith said: “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. Let's remove the political posturing and lean into subject matter experts to reach a positive outcome.”
Small Business Association of Michigan President & CEO Brian Calley said: “While we appreciate the progress made in advancing the Great Lakes Tunnel project, we are concerned that the additional permit conditions could add unnecessary complexity, costs and delays to a project that has already undergone years of review. Michigan's small businesses depend on reliable, affordable energy and value the environmental protections the Tunnel will provide. We encourage all parties to work toward moving this important project forward as efficiently as possible.”
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.
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 infrastructure investment that both enhances protection of the Great Lakes and strengthens the resilience of our energy infrastructure. It is critical that this project move forward.”
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 construction permits couldn’t be more important to keep that 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.
To learn more about the coalition and the Great Lakes Tunnel project, visit GreatLakesMichiganJobs.com.
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