LANSING, Mich., Oct. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement in response to today's announcement by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Enbridge to further protect Great Lakes' water quality and replace Line 5, the oil and gas pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac, with a new state-of-the-art underground tunnel.

"We commend Governor Snyder and Enbridge for reaching a practical, problem-solving agreement that will further safeguard Great Lakes' water quality and modernize critical energy infrastructure for home owners and job providers in Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas at no expense to state and local taxpayers," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "This wide-ranging legal agreement will provide Michiganders who care about water quality with safety, certainty and predictability as Enbridge and the State of Michigan move forward together to resolve this long-standing issue in a way that is responsible, fair and balanced."

"The alternative to this legally-binding agreement is years of costly litigation at taxpayer expense without replacing Line 5," added Studley. "This election year, candidates seeking state office have sought to politicize the debate over energy policy and environmental protection with bumper sticker solutions to Line 5. Gov. Snyder and Enbridge deserve credit for working to resolve this issue in a spirit of relentless positive action instead of reckless political action."

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization representing approximately 5,800 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce who employ over one million Michigan residents. The Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce