Environmental groups are using a large gathering of Michigan’s political and business leaders on Mackinac Island to pressure the state to shut down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5.
Protesters were at the ferry docks to greet attendees of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac conference.
Jim Lively is with a northern Michigan environmental group. He says the line under the straits serves as a shortcut for moving fuel between points in Canada with little benefit to Michigan.
“We don’t need a pipeline crossing at the straits. We don’t need that oil. That’s Canadian oil.”
Lively says alternatives can be found to deliver propane to the Upper Peninsula and oil to points in lower Michigan.
Governor Rick Snyder says he’s waiting on a pair of studies on the dangers posed by Line 5 and possible alternatives. Those reports are expected in July.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org