Line 5 Tunnel & Other Dirty Projects to be Fast-Tracked by Army Corps of Engineers Without Proper Review, Following Trump Directive

Washington, DC- Today, the Army Corps of Engineers announced the Line 5 tunnel projectand other fossil fuel infrastructure permits will be fast-tracked without sufficient environmental review. The projects are being rushed through under the directive of Trump's sham energy "emergency"executive order.

In anticipation of this news, six Michigan Tribes recently withdrew from Line 5 federal discussions. Owned by Canadian oil giant Enbridge, Line 5 is already highly controversial and poses an existential threat to the Great Lakes. The Line 5 tunnel project heightens the risk of an oil spill in the Great Lakes and the drinking water of 40 million people. The Canadian pipeline makes Canadian profits and supplies Canadian fuel.

Sierra Club, partners, and Tribal Nations have pending litigation against Line 5 in Michigan and Wisconsin- and Enbridge still does not have critical state permits.

In response, Sierra Club released the following statements:

Sierra Club Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy Mahyar Sorour: "The only energy 'emergency' the American people face is Trump's efforts to disregard clean air and water safeguards in order to rush through dirty, dangerous fossil fuel projects. The United States is already the largest oil producer and gas exporter in the world, yet Trump and his cabinet want to help corporate polluters rake in more profits while we suffer the very real public health and economic consequences. Instead of circumventing legally-required reviews intended to protect communities, the truly patriotic thing to do would be to invest in clean, affordable energy."

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director Elayne Coleman:"Donald Trump has proven yet again that he'll back Big Oil and corporate interests over the safety and well-being of real people. Fast-tracking the Line 5 tunnel puts us at risk for catastrophic damage. An oil spill would contaminate the water for tens of millions, cost billions of taxpayer dollars to clean up, and destroy Michigan fishing and tourism. Governor Whitmer must step in, stop the Line 5 tunnel, and protect Michigan and the Great Lakes. We can't give in to Trump and oil pipeline billionaires."

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About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.