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Line 5: timelines
EGLE Timeline
In February and March of 2025, 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 Line 5 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.
NPDES permits timeline
- February 13, 2025 – NPDES application for permit reissuance received
- February 14, 2025 – NPDES application for permit reissuance was internally reviewed by EGLE staff
- February 28, 2025 – additional information regarding the permit application was requested by EGLE
- March 24, 2025 – Enbridge submitted some of the additional permit application information requested by EGLE
Resources permit timeline
- March 3, 2025 – Resources permit application received under submission HQ3-8BYB-N9DT1 and EGLE staff began reviewing the application for completeness.
- March 17, 2025 – Correction requests were sent via MiEnviro Portal and email to the applicant by EGLE requesting additional information.
MPSC Timeline
On December 1, 2023, the MPSC issued an order approving Enbridge’s application to replace and relocate the segment of Line 5 crossing the Straits of Mackinac 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.
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.
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 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.
Find the latest updates on the Line 5 homepage
Information on the Line 5 tunnel project proposal by Enbridge, including overview, timelines, recent permit documents and decisions, and more.