12/16/2025

UPPER MICHIGAN - A coalition of environmental and business groups says Michigan taxpayers could end up paying billions for the Line 5 tunnel, the four-mile underground passage Enbridge wants to build to contain its aging pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac. A new report from Oil and Water Don't Mix and Clean Water Action, claims the project, long promoted as a safer alternative than the existing dual pipes on the lakebed, could shift billions of dollars in financial risk onto the state. Report co-author Sean McBrearty says the agreement pushed through at the end of the Snyder

administration means Enbridge builds the tunnel, but Michigan will own it.

0:13  "That means that Michigan taxpayers could be responsible for the catastrophic clean-up, water system repairs, tourism losses, public health emergencies and multi-billion-dollar infrastructure disruptions, if something goes wrong."

Enbridge disputes the report in response, saying Michigan is "fully indemnified" under its agreements – meaning the state will be compensated for its losses – and that taxpayers won't pay for any incident. The company contends it has financial strength and certified assurances to cover all cleanup costs and notes state regulators have already approved the project.