Promising to protect the Great Lakes while also ensuring access to critical energy all while creating new jobs, the Great Lakes Michigan Jobs Coalition garnered overwhelming bipartisan support in the Michigan State House of Representatives Wednesday.
The Great Lakes Michigan Jobs Coalition is applauding that bipartisan majority for voting to support construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel.
Yesterday, the Michigan House approved House Resolution 282, supporting the Tunnel and calling on state and federal authorities to issue permits for the project in a timely manner, by a vote of 80-28-1. The resolution, called for an end to delay tactics and touted the significant job opportunities that will be created by the project.
Geno Alessandrini, Business Manager for the Michigan Laborers District Council, says, “The Great Lakes Tunnel will protect the Lakes and ensure access to the energy we rely upon, all while creating jobs for Michigan workers,” and adds, “The project just makes sense for Michigan and we applaud the strong majority of Michigan Representatives who stood up and reinforced their support for the project.”
The Great Lakes Tunnel project will move a section of the already safe Line 5 pipeline currently located along the lake bed, and will make it even safer by burying it deep under the lake bed in a state-of-the-art concrete tunnel.
Jason Geer, President & CEO of the Michigan Oil and Gas Association, responded by saying, “Michigan legislators approved the Great Lakes Tunnel project in 2018 and Wednesday’s vote in the Michigan House reiterates the strong support for the project at the Capitol,” adding, “This action proves once again that construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel is not a political issue and needs to begin as soon as possible.”
The Great Lakes Michigan Jobs coalition is made up of diverse organizations, including:
- Lake Superior Community Partnership
- Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce
- Michigan Chemistry Council
- Michigan Laborers Union
- Michigan Manufacturers Association
- Michigan Oil and Gas Association
- Michigan Petroleum Association
- Michigan Propane Gas Association
- Midland Business Alliance
- National Federation of Independent Business Michigan
- Operating Engineers 324
- Small Business Association of Michigan
- American Petroleum Institute
The Line 5 pipeline safely delivers the fuel that homeowners and worksites count on to keep Michigan’s economy moving. The Tunnel project was approved in 2018 by a bipartisan majority in the state legislature.
To learn more about the coalition, the Great Lakes Tunnel project or to join the coalition, you can go online to: http://GreatLakesMichiganJobs.com
