US Army Corps of Engineers approves federal permit for Line 5 tunnel in Straits of Mackinac

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel, allowing tunneling beneath the Straits of Mackinac to house a four-mile pipeline segment replacing dual lake-bed pipelines. The project follows a recent permit being struck down and comes amid opposition from tribal nations and environmental groups citing prior spills and potential environmental and cultural impacts.

The US Army Corps of Engineers approved Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 tunnel permit in the Straits of Mackinac, saying it is “not contrary to the public interest.” The Corps acknowledged adverse effects to endangered species and archaeological sites. The project remains tied up in state and federal court, with opponents promising new lawsuits and Enbridge praising the decision.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved Enbridge’s proposal for a four-mile tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac to house the Line 5 oil pipeline, according to the Corps. Enbridge cannot start construction because Michigan’s Supreme Court ordered the Michigan Public Service Commission to redo its analysis. Tribes criticized the decision and cite prior Line 5 easement termination.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a federal permit for Enbridge’s proposed Great Lakes Tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac, a roughly four-mile tunnel to replace part of the Line 5 pipeline, according to the Corps and Enbridge. Enbridge said it followed over six years of review. Tribal groups criticized the decision and said treaty rights and impacts were insufficiently considered. Further regulatory steps remain, including additional Michigan analysis ordered by the state Supreme Court

An appeals court upheld a ruling that Enbridge’s Line 5 trespass on the Bad River Reservation cannot continue and backed a reroute without setting a new completion deadline. The court said a 2023 restitution award of $5.15 million should be revisited. Enbridge says it is operating Line 5 and building a 41-mile relocation segment.

Enbridge (ENB) shares fell 5.8% to $51.28 for the week ending Aug 7, after a quarterly profit beat with unchanged guidance and two pipeline setbacks. The article cites 2026 DCF-per-share midpoint C$5.90 covering the annual dividend 1.52 times, debt-to-EBITDA 5.1x, and a delayed Mainline Phase 2 plus a Michigan Line 5 permit review.