LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, issued the following statement after the Michigan Public Service Commission on Friday gave state approval to the Line 5 tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac:
“This is a major development toward energy security in the region and is tremendous news for residents of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
“While it is certainly welcomed, this decision is long overdue. The tunnel was approved by the Legislature years ago with bipartisan support and the unnecessary holdups have put Michigan families and our environment at risk.
“I’m happy to see the commission recognize the importance of the Line 5 tunnel to area residents, and I was also pleased to see it acknowledged as an environmentally safe alternative that protects Michigan’s one-of-a-kind natural resources.
“With this announcement, I now renew my calls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to give their final consideration for this project as well so we can get shovels in the ground and get construction on this much-needed tunnel underway.”
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