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On April 17, 2020, Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership (Enbridge) filed an application with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC or Commission) pursuant to Public Act 16 of 1929, MCL 483.1 et seq, also referred to as Act 16, requesting authority to replace and relocate the segment of Line 5 crossing the Straits of Mackinac into a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac.
On December 1, 2023, the Commission issued an order in the U-20763 docket approving Enbridge’s application subject to a number of conditions. Additional information regarding the Commission’s order and approval can be found in the MPSC’s Line 5 Issue Brief.
The application sought approval for Enbridge's project known as the Straits Line 5 Replacement Segment Project, which will replace the current crossing - consisting of two, 20-inch diameter pipes referred to as the Dual Pipelines - with a single, 30-inch diameter pipe (the replacement pipe segment) located within a concrete-lined tunnel below the lakebed of the Straits. This application did not request approval of the tunnel itself, which is the subject of separate applications addressed by other state and federal agencies. The application stated that Enbridge has acquired the necessary property rights for installation, operation, and maintenance of the replacement pipe segment.
For an overview of the Act 16 process, click here.
Siting authority for crude oil and petroleum product pipeline siting is granted to the MPSC pursuant to Act 16. Approval under Act 16 allows the applicant to construct the pipeline as specified in the Commission order and subject to any other governmental permits that are required.
U-20763 Enbridge Act 16 Application Case Docket
MPSC Staff Review of Application: Recording | Presentation
August 24, 2020 Public Hearing Recording
April 22, 2020 - Establishing a period for comment on Enbridge's application