Timeline

EGLE Timeline  |  MPSC Timeline
Documents

 

EGLE Timeline

In April 2020, EGLE received permit applications from Enbridge. EGLE must review the applications to determine completeness within 30 days of receiving them. This 30-day review is tolled, allowing the review period to pause when questions or comments requiring a response are sent to permit applicants.

Public comment, public hearings, and tribal consultations are scheduled after this completeness review. For more information on the permits covered by each of the timelines go to the "Anticipated Permits" page. EGLE has also established a dedicated permit application email account related to the proposed tunnel project, EGLE-Enbridge-Comments@Michigan.gov to provide the public with a simplified means of commenting on the proposed project.

Resource Permits Timeline (revised Dec 2, 2020)
Event Tribal Informational Meeting Public Informational Meeting
on Permit Application		 Tribal Consultation Public Information Meetings Public Hearings Deadline for Public Comments on Proposed Decisions Final Permit Decisions
Date(s): July 1, 2020 August 6, 2020 August 13, 2020 September 10 and 21, 2020 October 1 and 8, 2020  October 19, 2020 January 2021

*Permit application deemed complete on June 8, 2020

 

NPDES Permits Timeline (revised Dec 2, 2020)
Event Tribal Informational Meeting Public Informational Meeting
on Permit Application		 Tribal Consultation Proposed Permit Decision Released Public Informational Meetings on Proposed Permit Decision Public Hearings on Proposed Permit Decision Deadline for Public Comments on Proposed Permit Decision Final Permit Decision
Date(s): July 1, 2020 August 6, 2020 August 17, 2020 Late August 2020 September 8 and 15, 2020 September 29 and October 6, 2020 October 19, 2020 January 2021

*Permit application deemed complete on May 28, 2020

Public Meetings and Public Hearings Schedule
Date Time Permit Type Event Type
Sept. 8, 2020 6 - 9 pm NPDES Public Meeting
Sept. 10, 2020 1 - 4 pm Resource Public Meeting
Sept. 15, 2020 1 - 4 pm NPDES Public Meeting
Sept. 21, 2020 6 - 9 pm Resource Public Meeting
Sept. 29, 2020 1 - 4 pm NPDES Public Hearing
Oct. 1, 2020 1 - 4 pm Resource Public Hearing
Oct. 6, 2020 6 - 9 pm NPDES Public Hearing
Oct. 8, 2020 6 - 9 pm Resource Public Hearing

 

MPSC Timeline

On April 17, 2020, Enbridge filed an application with the MPSC in Case No. U-20763 requesting siting approval under Act 16 to replace and relocate the Line 5 segment that currently crosses the Straits into a tunnel to be constructed beneath the Straits. In the alternative, Enbridge asked the MPSC for a declaratory ruling that it already has the authority from the Commission to construct the replacement segment based on the Commission’s original 1953 order granting authority for the Line 5 pipeline. 

On April 22, 2020, the Commission issued an order putting the Act 16 siting application on hold while it considered the request for a declaratory ruling and established a public comment period.  All comments filed in response to this request are available in the case docket.

On June 30, 2020, the MPSC issued an order that states that Enbridge is required to file an Act 16 application and to obtain Commission approval to construct the Line 5 Straits Replacement Project through a contested case. The Commission found that the Line 5 project involves important factual, policy and legal issues best resolved through a proceeding that includes discovery, comprehensive testimony and evidence to provide a robust record. The Commission observed that this proposal is a matter of significant public interest best addressed through a contested case. The June 30th order set a date for a public hearing and a subsequent Notice of Hearing scheduled a prehearing conference for the case.

Timeline for Case No. U-20763 (revised Aug 31, 2020)
Event Application Filed Pre-Hearing Public Hearing to Receive Public Comment Staff & Intervenor Testimony Deadline Rebuttal Testimony Deadline Cross-Examination Initial Briefs Filed Reply Briefs Filed
Date(s): April 17, 2020 August 12, 2020 August 24, 2020 February 12, 2021 April 19, 2021 May 18-21 & 24-27, 2021 June 24, 2021 July 15, 2021

*This schedule is subject to change as the case progresses and will be updated accordingly.

Documents

Pipeline Safety Advisory Board Report to Governor - December 20, 2018

Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force Report - July 2015