The State of Michigan has voluntarily dismissed its federal lawsuit against Enbridge regarding the Line 5 pipeline. The withdrawal of the litigation is part of a legal strategy to give state courts the final say, according to the office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed suit in state court.
The federal court continued to hear the case, which was the result of Enbridge’s reaction to a shut-down notice from the state, despite previous attempts to send it to state court. This prompted the voluntary dismissal and the administration’s hope that it can have a favorable state judgment.
Nessel voiced her agreement, saying, “I fully support the Governor in her decision to dismiss the federal court case and instead focus on our ongoing litigation in state court. The state court case is the quickest and most viable path to permanently decommission Line 5”
Whitmer remains determined to shut down Enbridge’s 68-year-old Line 5 dual oil pipelines that carry 23 million gallons of oil every day under the Straits of Mackinac. Whitmer said, “Our goal here remains the same: protecting the Great Lakes, protecting Michigan jobs, and protecting Michigan’s economy.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
