GAIN Applauds Appeals Court Ruling Upholding Line 5 Tunnel Legislation
The Michigan Court of Appeals today ruled legislation to allow construction of a tunnel around the Line 5 crude oil and natural gas liquids pipeline is constitutional – upholding a Michigan Court of Claims judge’s ruling from October. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have fought to shut down Line 5, which has operated for decades, and overturn the state statute allowing Enbridge, the pipeline’s operator, to construct a $500 million tunnel to encase a replacement for the pipeline.
Below is a statement that can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition:
“GAIN applauds today’s ruling reaffirming legislation allowing Enbridge to construct a tunnel around the Line 5 pipeline at the Straits of Mackinac. The proposed $500 million tunnel goes above and beyond traditional safety standards to prevent any potential environmental impact. Rather than oppose proactive measures that bolster pipeline safety and mitigate potential risk, we would hope that Michigan’s elected officials would act in the best interest of their constituents, including energy workers, and welcome investment in the state’s energy infrastructure network.”