US Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Michigan Over Aging Pipeline Dispute
US supreme court sides with Michigan in its fight to shut down ageing pipeline
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
The US Supreme Court has ruled that Michigan's lawsuit to shut down a section of the aging Line 5 pipeline will remain in state court. This decision follows concerns over potential environmental hazards posed by the pipeline, which has operated since 1953 beneath the Straits of Mackinac, linking Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
- 01The Supreme Court's ruling allows Michigan's lawsuit against Enbridge Energy to remain in state court.
- 02The lawsuit seeks to shut down a 4.5-mile section of the Line 5 pipeline due to environmental concerns.
- 03Enbridge's attempts to move the case to federal court were rejected due to missed deadlines.
- 04The pipeline has faced scrutiny since 2017 over the risk of catastrophic spills.
- 05Enbridge is also seeking permits for a protective tunnel around the pipeline, facing opposition from environmental groups.
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On Wednesday, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Michigan, allowing the state's lawsuit against Enbridge Energy regarding the Line 5 pipeline to remain in state court. The unanimous decision, written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, found that Enbridge waited too long to transfer the case to federal court. The lawsuit, initiated by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in June 2019, aims to void the easement for a 4.5-mile (6.4 km) section of the pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Concerns about potential leaks have intensified since 2017, particularly after damage to the pipeline was revealed in 2018. Governor Gretchen Whitmer's administration revoked the easement in 2020, but Enbridge has challenged this in federal court. The company is also seeking permits to encase the pipeline in a protective tunnel, which has faced opposition from environmental groups and local tribes. The case reflects ongoing tensions between environmental safety and energy infrastructure in the region.
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The ruling could significantly affect environmental safety and energy policy in Michigan, as well as the operations of Enbridge Energy.
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