Operating Engineers 324 Strongly Supports the Great Lakes Tunnel; Asks EGLE to Grant the Permits

Lansing, MI – Operating Engineers 324 today asked the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to grant the permits necessary to build the Great Lakes Tunnel. EGLE this week will conclude a public comment period on the application by Enbridge for permits to move a portion of Line 5 out of the water in the Straits and into a state-of-the-art tunnel buried deep beneath the lakebed.

“Let’s grant these permits,” said Operating Engineers 324 Business Manager and General Vice-President Douglas Stockwell. “The Great Lakes Tunnel will be built safely, and every analysis makes it clear – the Tunnel is the best solution for the Great Lakes and for Michigan jobs.”

Operating Engineers 324 represents 15,000 highly skilled Heavy Equipment Operators, Technicians, and Stationary Engineers who, like families across the state, depend on Line 5 for affordable energy, good jobs, and the fuel and products that make Michigan move.

Operating Engineers 324 is also a member of the Great Lakes Michigan Jobs coalition, a nonpartisan group of labor unions, business advocacy and economic development groups, energy industry voices, and local residents.

The coalition this week will submit thousands of signatures from Michigan residents to EGLE in support of Great Lakes Tunnel permits.