Fast-track pipeline project raises alarms over water safety, reliance on fossil fuels

Army Corps of Engineers announced April 15 that the agency will fast-track the review process for the Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel Project.

This project — led by the Canadian pipeline and energy ...

Army Corps of Engineers announced April 15 that the agency will fast-track the review process for the Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel Project .

This project — led by the Canadian pipeline and energy company Enbridge — will replace nearly four miles of the current oil and gas pipeline with a protective tunnel, according to the announcement.

Beginning in Superior, Wis., and ending in Canada, Line 5 transports nearly 23 million gallons of light crude oil and natural gas liquids per day.

The decision to fast-track the project follows President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency in January.

The declaration has directed federal agencies to expedite energy projects, claiming that previous energy production was inadequate for the country’s needs.

Following this order, six Tribal Nations withdrew from federal discussions regarding the project.

In their letter , they claim the USACE has aligned itself with Enbridge and failed to uphold its commitment to Tribal treaty rights.

Leah Horowitz, an associate professor of American Indian and Indigenous studies at the University of Wisconsin, said there is a severe lack of trust between Indigenous communities and the government, citing a history of broken treaty agreements.

“They will take into consideration the voices of indigenous communities that support their agenda, they will not take into account the voices of indigenous communities that are against their agenda,” Horowitz said.

Army Corps of Engineers announced April 15 that the agency will fast-track the review process for the Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel Project .

This project — led by the Canadian pipeline and energy company Enbridge — will replace nearly four miles of the current oil and gas pipeline with a protective tunnel, according to the announcement.

Beginning in Superior, Wis., and ending in Canada, Line 5 transports nearly 23 million gallons of light crude oil and natural gas liquids per day.

The decision to fast-track the project follows President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency in January.

The declaration has directed federal agencies to expedite energy projects, claiming that previous energy production was inadequate for the country’s needs.

Following this order, six Tribal Nations withdrew from federal discussions regarding the project.

In their letter , they claim the USACE has aligned itself with Enbridge and failed to uphold its commitment to Tribal treaty rights.

Leah Horowitz, an associate professor of American Indian and Indigenous studies at the University of Wisconsin, said there is a severe lack of trust between Indigenous communities and the government, citing a history of broken treaty agreements.

“They will take into consideration the voices of indigenous communities that support their agenda, they will not take into account the voices of indigenous communities that are against their agenda,” Horowitz said.