Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office will not appeal a court decision which would allow a tunnel to be constructed beneath the Straits of Mackinac to house a replacement for the aging Enbridge Line 5 twin pipelines.
The tunnel was supported by former Governor Rick Snyder and the Republican led legislature to house a replacement for the aging twin pipelines called Line 5 operated by Enbridge.
In an email message the Attorney General’s office declined to comment about the decision to not further pursue the case due to other ongoing litigation against Enbridge.
The Canadian pipeline company sent a statement via email which reads in part:
"The Appeals Court decision confirmed that Act 359 is constitutional and that Enbridge’s agreements with the State of Michigan are valid and enforceable," continuing with, "This includes the Tunnel Agreement and the Third Agreement, which allows for Enbridge to continue to operate the Dual Pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac while a tunnel to house a replacement section of Line 5 is permitted and constructed."
A group of business leaders is now urging Governor Gretchen Whitmer to step in. The Great Lakes Business Network called on Whitmer to quote: “scrap Enbridge Energy’s risky Line 5 tunnel plan” and added the group wanted Line 5 immediately and permanently shut down because of fears the 67-year-old pipeline might spill crude oil into the Great Lakes.
ED NOTE: Enbridge Energy is one of Michigan Radio's corporate sponsors.
This post was updated July 31, 2020 at 12:38 p.m.
