The fight over Enbridge’s Line 5 fuel supply pipeline is heating up on several fronts. After legal maneuvering by the Whitmer administration, who wants to shut down Line 5, legislation has now been introduced on the federal level to prevent any potential future shutdown.
Congresswoman Lisa McLain of the 10th District, co-sponsored legislation that would prevent President Biden from shutting down pipelines without Congressional approval.
The Biden administration reported in November that shutting down Line 5 is not in their plans, as it is part of an international discussion with Canada, which recently invoked a 1977 Treaty to begin bilateral negotiations regarding the pipeline.
In her December 8th press release, McLain referenced homes going without heat and airports running out of jet fuel during the holidays if Line 5 is shut down immediately.
In actuality, there will not be a court ruling on Line 5 for some time. Whitmer’s lawsuit to enforce an immediate shutdown of Line 5, which Enbridge ignored, is scheduled for preliminary hearings in January.
The pipeline sends over half a million barrels of oil products to Sarnia, Ontario every day. A rupture of the line is feared to potentially cause catastrophic damage to the Great Lakes. Enbridge maintains that the line is safe.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
