LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Whitmer administration’s push to shut down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac has hit another snag.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lost her bid to dismiss a challenge from Enbridge Energy against Michigan’s order to shut down the company’s Line 5 pipeline. The state has three cases its filed against the energy company.
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Judge Robert J. Jonker of the US District Court for the Western District of Michigan ruled the state’s argument that it’s protected from the suit by sovereign immunity doesn’t work because one of the exceptions to immunity applies.
Line 5 has been supplying crude oil and natural gas to Michigan for more than 65 years. It heats most of the homes and businesses in the Upper Peninsula and parts of the Lower Peninsula. Gov. Whitmer’s alternate plan to provide energy in the event of a Line 5 shutdown is not detailed.
Canadian-based Enbridge is putting up $500 million of its own money to built a tunnel to encase Line 5.
The next federal hearing is slated for July 31; Enbridge plans to argue its motion for summary judgement.
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