GAIN Statement on Michigan AG’s Court Action to Shut Down Line 5
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a motion yesterday against Enbridge in an attempt to stop current operations of Line 5, a major pipeline running under the Straits of Mackinac. Nessell also filed a motion to dismiss a recent Enbridge motion challenging the state’s decision to not move forward under agreements made with former Governor Snyder. Line 5 moves 540,000 barrels per day of propane and crude oil supply for Michigan and surrounding communities. This amounts to an estimated 55 percent of Michigan’s propane needs. The lawsuit comes after months of tense negotiations between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and pipeline developer Enbridge – and may cause the future of Line 5 to be tied up in years of litigation. Enbridge officials have predicted price spikes as well as a shortage of gasoline, propane, and jet fuel should Line 5 be decommissioned.
Below is a statement that can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition:
“The Attorney General’s actions, if successful, will lead to the U.S. being less economic and energy secure. Pipelines remain the safest, most efficient method of transporting petroleum products – products that Michiganders depend on, like propane.
Companies looking to invest in new energy infrastructure require regulatory certainty. Indeed, Enbridge has reaffirmed its commitment to safety by offering to construct a $500 million tunnel to encase Line 5. The GAIN Coalition encourages policymakers to work together with developers on pragmatic solutions like these that will ensure further investment in – and enhance the safety of – our nation’s critical energy infrastructure network.”