We’re writing today to encourage you to watch the complete video of our recent panel discussion, titled Tunnel Vision, which explored the many serious flaws in the proposed Line 5 oil tunnel. The brief 2-minute clip at the top of this email will give you a terrific sense for how important it is that we all know the real risks that the tunnel presents.

The complete video of the event reveals there’s so much more to the situation. Our panelists expand on Brian O’Mara’s concerns about design and engineering flaws by offering a deeply informed and multi-layered assessment of the tunnel and Line 5 more broadly. Please take time to hear their thoughts and insight as they explore issues including climate, tribal sovereignty, legal status, and historical perspective. (See speaker bios below.)

Thank you for your love of the Great Lakes!

Tunnel Vision Panelists

Holly Bird is a Traverse City–based attorney, judge, water protector, and indigenous activist, with an abundance of grassroots organizing experience. She served as the Standing Rock tribal attorney and co-directs Title Track here locally. She shares her perspective on the Line 5 tunnel’s threat to tribal sovereignty and emphasize the need to protect our natural resources for future generations.

Dan Bock, the First Assistant for Natural Resources and Tribal Law in the Michigan Attorney General’s Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division. Dan recently argued Michigan’s 6th Circuit Court of Appeals case on behalf of the state and left folks in the viewing room cheering. Dan shares an important legal update on the status of the Michigan Line 5 litigation, then address taxation and liability concerns for Michiganders with the Line 5 Tunnel. 

Brian O’Mara is a nationally recognized geological and technical tunnel expert with over 30 years experience in consulting and construction management support. He has worked thousands of hours underground as a Resident Inspector and Staff Engineer for deep tunnel and shaft projects in the Great Lakes region and testified as an expert witness in the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel. He highlights key technical safety and engineering issues with the tunnel proposal.

Sean McBrearty, Oil and Water Don’t Mix, will provide a brief historical overview of Line 5 and highlights of the campaign to date. Sean has been central to this campaign from its inception. He served many years as Legislative and Policy Director for Clean Water Michigan before becoming State Director in 2023. Sean provides an overview of the state of the campaign along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Denise Keele, Executive Director of Michigan Climate Action Network, spent much of her career as Associate Professor of Political Science at Western Michigan University (WMU) and founded the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition. Denise shares an update from MiCAN on their ongoing Michigan Public Service Commission appeal and describes the overarching climate concerns associated with the tunnel proposal.

Ashley Rudzinski, Director of Groundwork’s Climate and Environment program, is a trained scientist and career-long environmental activist who previously served as the director of Sierra Club Utah. She has been a leading voice in the Line 5 campaign, with an emphasis on climate impacts. Ashley is the emcee and moderator of this event. 

Ashley Rudzinski, Climate & Environment Program Director, Groundwork
ashley.rudzinski@groundworkcenter.org