Enbridge Defeats Michigan Governor’s Bid to Move Line 5 Pipeline Case
(Bloomberg) — Enbridge Inc. won the latest round in its long-running battle to stop Michigan’s governor from shutting an oil pipeline that crosses the Great Lakes after a judge ruled that the case should remain in Federal court.
Judge Janet Neff of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division rejected Michigan’s effort to send the case over Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s order for Enbridge to shut its Line 5 pipeline to state court. The case “is properly in federal court,” according to the ruling.
Whitmer has ordered Enbridge to shut Line 5 arguing that its a threat to the Great Lakes because it presents an environmental threat where it crosses through Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron connect. Enbridge has refused to comply, arguing that the governor is exceeding her authority and federal jurisdiction applies.