The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has expedited the permitting process for Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline project. The Globe's Emma Graney and Patrick White write that this decision follows President Trump's national energy emergency declaration on Jan. 20. The Army Corps noted that Enbridge's expedited permit request addresses critical energy supply concerns that could pose risks to life and property if not swiftly resolved. Enbridge has proposed a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac to house a new Line 5 pipeline segment, replacing the aging current pipe. Although the Army Corps' decision accelerates the application process, Shane McCoy, the Detroit district regulator chief, stated that the project's permissibility will not be predetermined until all analyses and consultations are complete. He said the draft environmental impact statement would be published later this spring, adding that the truncated process does not eliminate any assessment steps. Wednesday's decision has faced strong backlash from Great Lakes business leaders and environmental groups, who argue that fast-tracking the controversial project as an emergency sets a dangerous precedent.