Gov. Whiter takes action on Line 5
In one of her first official acts, Gov. Whitmer asked General Nessel to provide an official legal opinion on the constitutionality of the legislation signed in Lame Duck of 2019 that would keep Line 5 operating.
I know many of us follow the Line 5 issue, and share our concerns about the Enbridge pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. The worst case forecasts of a leak during a winter storm are frightening and predict billions in economic damage and untold harm to our precious Great Lakes.
Gov. Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel both made Line 5 an important issue in their campaigns last year because they understand the risks the pipeline poses, and share our love for the Great Lakes.
In one of her first official acts, Gov. Whitmer asked General Nessel to provide an official legal opinion on the constitutionality of the legislation signed in Lame Duck of 2019. The legislation sets up a commission to regulate the construction of a tunnel under the straits to house the pipeline moving forward. Constructing a tunnel would take years during which the pipeline would continue to put our Great Lakes at risk. And while Enbridge would pay for the tunnel, Michigan taxpayers would still be spending millions in oversight and other needs. These are obviously huge problems.
The governor and individual state legislators can all ask for an official legal opinion by Michigan’s attorney general. Gov. Whitmer has taken this initial step in addressing the pipeline, and we’re thankful for her leadership.
You can read an excellent Detroit Free Press article here, and read the official letter here.
Hopefully this is the first step in successfully shutting down this risky threat to the Great Lakes.
