Senate Delays Vote On Mackinac Pipeline Tunnel

A vote has been delayed in the full state senate on whether to put the Mackinac Bridge Authority in charge of overseeing a utility tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac. The delay puts eastern U-P State Senator Wayne Schmidt at odds with fellow Republican Senator Tom Casperson, who represents the rest of the U-P.  Casperson introduced the measure. 9 and 10 News reports Schmidt is concerned about by the decision being made in the legislature’s lame-duck session. The tunnel would be built by Enbridge Energy and would house—among other utilities—its oil and gas pipeline.