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Line 5: A Timeline of a Ticking Bomb

Line 5 has already released over 1 million gallons, and crossing over two of the Great Lakes the aging pipeline is a disaster waiting to happen. Click to read a timeline of major Line 5 events, from construction nearly 70 years ago to present day.
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The Oil & Water Don't Mix coalition was formed to address the threat to our climate and Great Lakes from the aged, dangerous Line 5 pipeline and associated proposed tunnel project.  Together, we saw a need to organize on behalf of Michiganders and all those that value and use the Great Lakes - for our freshwater future, not fossil fuel profit.

Clean Water Action sits on the steering committee of Oil & Water Don't Mix, which includes over 75 organizations working to shut down the flow of oil in the Great Lakes alongside supporters from the business community, tribal communities, faith communities, local governments, and individuals. Coalition members come from all walks of life with areas of focus including concerns about water quality, Indigenous rights, climate change, pollution, sustainable economies, protecting sporting, commerce, and tourism, and protecting the jobs that are dependent on our water and our Pure Michigan way of life.

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Clean Water Action volunteers with Shut Down Line 5 signs

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Actions, Events, and Updates

Line 5 News

Oil & Water Don't Mix Responds to Michigan Public Service Commission Decision on Line 5 Tunnel Permit

A federal court ruled on June 16th that Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is in trespass on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation and that it constitutes a public nuisance by posing an imminent threat of rupture that could devastate the Band’s drinking water, plants and wildlife, and the region’s economy. The court required a segment of the Line 5 pipeline to be shut down within three years. Enbridge's response of an appeal and proposal to re-route the pipeline does not protect the Band, their treaty-reserved territory, or the Great Lakes from the threat of Line 5.
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Line 5: Tribal Nations and Advocacy Groups Respond as Enbridge Appeals Shutdown Order

A federal court ruled on June 16th that Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is in trespass on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation and that it constitutes a public nuisance by posing an imminent threat of rupture that could devastate the Band’s drinking water, plants and wildlife, and the region’s economy. The court required a segment of the Line 5 pipeline to be shut down within three years. Enbridge's response of an appeal and proposal to re-route the pipeline does not protect the Band, their treaty-reserved territory, or the Great Lakes from the threat of Line 5.
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Citizens Groups Applaud MI Attorney General’s Appeal in Line 5 Legal Case

"Every day this outdated 1950s crude oil pipeline is in the Great Lakes is a day when beautiful Lake Michigan could end up being a disaster zone. Delay is not our friend and this legal development moves us closer to a decision."

MI Propane Plan Proves that Michigan Doesn’t Need Line 5

For years, Enbridge and their allies have been spending millions of dollars to scare Michigan residents and create a fiction that the sky will fall and people will freeze without Line 5. Governor Whitmer’s team has proved them wrong once again.

Clean Water Action Applauds Governor Whitmer’s Action to Shut Down Line 5

After over a year-long review, the Department of Natural Resources has discovered many incurable violations to the 1953 easement that allows Enbridge to operate Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. We applaud the Governor’s actions to protect Michigan residents and our public trust resources by revoking the 1953 easement and shutting down the Line 5 pipeline.