Donald Trump’s administration is facing accusations from activists of a quid pro quo as it attempts to fast-track a contentious fossil fuel pipeline proposal in Michigan. This pipeline, owned by Canadian oil giant Enbridge, would partially be constructed by Tim Barnard, a donor who, along with his wife, contributed $1m to Trump’s campaign. Barnard’s company, Barnard Construction, has received over $1bn to build sections of the border wall and is known for his significant donations to Republican candidates and organizations.
The proposal involves replacing an aging pipeline that traverses the Great Lakes, a region that holds a substantial portion of the world’s fresh water. This replacement plan, estimated to cost $1.5bn, includes building a tunnel under the Great Lakes, raising environmental concerns. Critics also question Barnard’s ability to complete such a complex project due to his lack of experience and history of wage violations.
Craig Holman, a lobbyist from Public Citizen, points out that such “pay-to-play” arrangements are not uncommon and have been increasing in scope under Trump’s second administration, arguing that this undermines the government contracting process.
The Trump administration has moved to fast-track federal energy projects, including the Line 5 pipeline, by bypassing environmental review processes. This move is seen by some as a favor to oil industry donors who supported Trump’s election.
Barnard’s donations extend beyond Trump, with contributions to various Republican officials and committees. Despite these allegations, Barnard has not responded to requests for comment.
Opponents of the project, including environmental groups, fear the potential risks of constructing a high-pressure tunnel under the Great Lakes, an area vulnerable to anchor strikes and shifting currents. They argue that Enbridge’s plans do not sufficiently mitigate these risks.
The political and legal opposition to the pipeline, in effect since 2018, has considerably delayed the project’s progression. Advocates against the pipeline are urging Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to take action in light of the apparent quid pro quo, but as of yet, she has not publicly expressed opposition to the Line 5 project.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/16/line-5-trump-pipeline-pollution-michigan-barnard
