Written on: August 16, 2026
From the National Propane Gas Association Bobtail
In a crucial win on August 12, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit authorizing Enbridge to build the Line 5 tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The Detroit District affirmed that issuance of a USACE permit for the Enbridge Line 5 tunnel’s construction complies with all applicable federal laws and regulations. USACE noted the approval of the Enbridge Line 5 tunnel permit application is the culmination of a robust and thorough evaluation process.
Line 5 is a critical source of 540,000 barrels per day of propane and crude oil supply for Michigan and surrounding areas. Line 5 serves an estimated 55% of the state’s propane needs, including approximately 65% of the propane used in the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle stated:
The approval of the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel Project is a testament to President Trump’s vision to ensure our nation’s energy dominance. By cutting unneeded red tape and overhauling our regulatory process, to provide fast, clear, and consistent decisions that implement our regulatory authorities just as Congress intended, we are able to help projects like this move forward with regulatory certainty. Because the U.S. Army is committed to efficiently fulfilling its Congressionally-mandated permitting responsibilities that in turn accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure with the ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative, the Line 5 Tunnel project will provide the American people with the safe, reliable access to energy its people deserve.
The link to the decision is available here.
Questions? Contact Director of Regulatory Affairs and Associate General Counsel Kate Gaziano at kgaziano@npga.org.
