The ruling puts Enbridge Energy a step closer to tunnel construction despite opposition from environmental and Native American groups and Democratic officials. Critics say they fear catastrophe if the pipelines remain in the Straits of Mackinac.
Enbridge
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge: Federal review of Line 5 tunnel permit is ‘inexplicably lethargic’
The Canadian energy giant pleads with Michigan officials to intervene, saying federal authorities are slow-walking their review of a key permit needed to build a tunnel in a pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Judge orders segment of Enbridge's Line 5 shut down and moved off Native American land
A federal judge in Wisconsin has ordered Enbridge to reroute its Line 5 pipeline around Native American land within three years. The judge also found the Canadian energy giant trespassed on the land and must pay more than $5 million.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
With lawsuits stalled in Michigan, Nessel seeks Line 5 shutdown in Wisconsin
The attorney general on Wednesday filed a brief in Wisconsin federal court supporting a Native American tribe’s effort to shut down the Line 5 pipeline over fears of a rupture into a river that runs through tribal land.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Line 5 critics aren’t serious about environmental protection
Pipeline opponents say there could be a spill, yet they oppose a plan to develop a less risky alternative by building a tunnel. Closing the region’s most important energy provider would harm both the U.S. and Canada.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge Line 5 tunnel project in Michigan delayed another 1.5 years
A tunnel to encase the Line 5 oil and gas pipeline below the Straits of Mackinac was originally supposed to be built by 2024. Instead, construction won’t begin until 2026 due to federal regulators’ delays, if it begins at all.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | President Biden needs to stand up to Canada, shut down Line 5
Joe Biden is making his first presidential visit to Canada this week. He can be silent no longer as Canada supports the efforts of Enbridge Energy to keep its aging oil and gas pipeline flowing through the Straits of Mackinac.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Court: Nessel can try again to return Line 5 lawsuit to state court
Legal experts say Michigan has a better chance of persuading a state court to shut down the pipeline, while Enbridge is more likely to prevail in federal court.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Why Line 5 will likely remain open despite Democratic control of Lansing
Don’t expect big new efforts to shut down Line 5 when Democrats take control. Those on both sides of the issue say the pipeline’s fate is now in the hands of a federal judge and President Joe Biden.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Tudor Dixon and Gretchen Whitmer polar opposites on Michigan environment
Whitmer wants to close Line 5, prepare for climate change, watchdog industrial polluters and update water safety. Dixon wants Line 5 open, regulations cut and a state that treats businesses like customers, not adversaries.