Environmentalists Challenge Approval of Enbridge Energy Oil Pipeline Encasement in Michigan
The ongoing battle over the Enbridge Energy oil pipeline in Michigan has reached a critical point, with environmentalists challenging the regulators’ decision to encase part of the aging pipeline. The controversy surrounding Line 5, which runs beneath a channel connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, has sparked concerns about potential environmental impacts and climate change repercussions.
Environmental groups like the Environmental Law & Policy Center and the Michigan Climate Action Network are pushing back against the state Public Service Commission’s approval of the tunnel project, arguing that alternatives to minimize greenhouse gas emissions were not adequately considered. The commission’s failure to assess the potential climate impacts of the project and its disregard for the consequences of a pipeline shutdown have raised significant concerns among environmental advocates.
Enbridge, the company operating the pipeline since 1953, has faced mounting pressure to address safety issues, particularly after revelations of gaps in the pipeline’s protective coating and a damaging incident in 2018. Despite assurances of the line’s structural integrity, Enbridge has been compelled to take action, reaching an agreement with the state to build a protective tunnel at a substantial cost.
The political landscape in Michigan adds another layer of complexity to the issue, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer opposing the pipeline’s continued operation under the straits. The legal battle involving the attorney general’s lawsuit seeking to void the easement for the line highlights the contentious nature of the debate.
The situation in Wisconsin further complicates matters for Enbridge, as a federal judge has ordered the shutdown of part of Line 5 crossing the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The company’s proposed reroute of the pipeline reflects its efforts to resolve the dispute with the tribe, but the case remains pending in court.
As the fate of the Line 5 pipeline hangs in the balance, the pushback from environmentalists and the concerns raised by various stakeholders underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to address the environmental and climate risks associated with aging oil infrastructure. The outcome of these legal battles will have far-reaching implications for the future of energy transport and environmental protection in the Great Lakes region.
