Legal Translation: Environmental attorney explains the latest on Enbridge Line 5 news

With so many twists and turns in the Line 5 story, it’s hard to keep up with the legal filings and positions from Enbridge Energy Corp., various Michigan governmental agencies and groups trying to stop or keep the pipeline.

But in the following conversation, attorney Nick Schroeck, who is the director of the environmental law clinic at University of Detroit Mercy, and Great Lakes Now Program Director Sandra Svoboda have this update about the latest legal actions and a refresher about what the pipeline is all about.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/legal-translation-environmental-attorney-explains-latest-enbridge-line-5/

GLN Editor

Q&A: What Michigan’s move to shut down Enbridge Line 5 means

By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/michigan-shut-down-enbridge-line-5-means/

Bridge Michigan

Michigan governor seeks shutdown of Great Lakes oil pipeline

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took legal action Friday to shut down a pipeline that carries oil beneath a channel that links two of the Great Lakes.

Whitmer’s office notified the Canadian company that it was revoking an easement granted in 1953 to extend a roughly 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) section of the pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-michigan-governor-seeks-shutdown-line-5-great-lakes-oil-pipeline/

The Associated Press

Judge: Michigan agency can evaluate Great Lakes tunnel plan

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Public Service Commission has some authority over Enbridge’s plans to build an oil pipeline tunnel beneath the channel that connects two of the Great Lakes, a state administrative law judge ruled Friday.

The agency can evaluate the need for the project and whether it would be designed, constructed and operated safely, Judge Dennis W.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/10/ap-judge-michigan-line-5-tunnel-plan/

The Associated Press

New House bills would make anchor strikes in the Straits of Mackinac a felony

By Will Callan, Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/10/house-bills-anchor-strikes-straits-of-mackinac-felony/

Michigan Radio

Ancient stone patterns in Straits of Mackinac add new wrinkle to Line 5 pipeline debate

MACKINAW CITY, Mich. (AP) — Images from an underwater vehicle seem to reveal stone patterns on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan, possible evidence of Native American artifacts from thousands of years ago, a newspaper reported.

A group of amateur explorers raised money to look at Enbridge Inc.’s oil pipeline on the lake bottom.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/10/ap-ancient-stone-patterns-straits-mackinac-line-5-pipeline/

The Associated Press

Opposition team criticizes Enbridge plans for oil tunnel

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge’s plans for drilling an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes do not meet industry standards and pose significant hazards to workers and the environment, experts who reviewed project documents on behalf of opposition groups told The Associated Press.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/09/ap-opposition-criticizes-enbridge-plans-line-5-tunnel/

The Associated Press

Enbridge now inspects freighters to avoid another anchor strike on Line 5

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

The Canadian pipeline company Enbridge Energy has been eager to show news media its new Enbridge Straits Maritime Operations Center in Mackinaw City. Its purpose is to try to prevent another anchor strike or other damage to Line 5, the dual pipelines carrying oil and natural gas liquids.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/09/enbridge-inspects-freighters-anchor-strike-line-5/

Michigan Radio

Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: Wisconsin utility shutoffs postponed, Lake Erie wind farm, Minnesota mine legal win

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

In this edition: Wisconsin Public Service Commission extends utility shutoff moratorium, ruling that could undo Lake Erie wind farm project stands, and PolyMet copper-nickel mine gets critical legal win in Minnesota.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/09/great-lakes-energy-mining-utility-line-5-lake-erie/

Ian Wendrow

Judge OKs oil flow through second Great Lakes pipeline

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge said Wednesday it will fully resume operation of a Michigan Great Lakes oil pipeline after a partial shutdown this summer because of damage to a support structure.

Circuit Judge James Jamo signed an order allowing the Canadian company to restore the flow through one of its Line 5 pipes beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/09/ap-judge-line-5-great-lakes-pipeline/

The Associated Press

Enbridge just wants a permit. Michigan critics want to bring down Line 5

By Kelly House, Bridge, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network

Enbridge Energy had already won the blessing from Michigan’s Republican Legislature to build a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac to keep oil flowing through Line 5, and survived a legal challenge that sought to unravel that plan.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/09/enbridge-line-5-permit-michigan-critics/

Bridge

By Taylor Haelterman The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed preexisting energy justice crises like costly utility bills and the dangers of energy pollution, which may not have gained attention otherwise, according to a recent study. Listen to this story. The study, titled ‘The energy crises revealed by COVID: Intersections of Indigeneity, Inequity and health,’ specifically cites rural areas […]

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/09/09/covid-19-pandemic-revealed-underlying-energy-justice-crises-study-finds/

Marie Orttenburger

Michigan’s State of the Great Lakes: Drinking water quality garners spotlight

In her first regional appearance after taking office in January 2019, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made it clear that Michigan would take a leadership role on Great Lakes issues.

“Michigan has to lead on Great Lakes issues,” Whitmer told Great Lakes Now after speaking to fellow Great Lakes governors and Canadian premiers and the broader Great Lakes community in Milwaukee.

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Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/08/michigan-state-great-lakes-drinking-water-quality/

Gary Wilson

Pipeline tunnel supporters, foes clash before Michigan panel

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Keeping a 64-year-old oil pipeline in operation by running one portion through a proposed Great Lakes tunnel would safeguard the economy and energy supplies, supporters said Monday, while opponents described the project as an unnecessary risk that would contribute to global warming.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/08/ap-pipeline-tunnel-supporters-foes-clash-michigan-panel/

The Associated Press

Enbridge contractor vessels may have bumped pipeline support

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Recent damage that prompted the temporary shutdown of an Enbridge oil pipeline in a channel linking two of the Great Lakes may have been done by vessels working for the company, according to an in-house report provided Thursday to The Associated Press.

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Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/ap-enbridge-contractor-vessels-line-5-pipeline-support/

The Associated Press

Whitmer: Enbridge dodging responsibility for potential Line 5 spill

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer criticized Enbridge Inc. on Wednesday for what she described as the company’s refusal to make an airtight pledge to pay for damages caused by a potential oil spill from its pipeline beneath a Great Lakes channel.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/ap-whitmer-enbridge-dodging-responsibility-line-5-oil-spill/

The Associated Press

Michigan wants Enbridge to pledge funds in case of oil spill

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan sought a written pledge Friday from Enbridge Inc. to cover costs that would arise if oil were to leak from its dual pipelines that extend across a channel linking two of the Great Lakes, although the Canadian pipeline company said it had already made such a promise.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/ap-michigan-enbridge-line-5-pledge-funds-oil-spill/

The Associated Press

Environmental groups question Enbridge pipeline hearing

Environmentalists contend the state Department of Natural Resources held a public hearing on Enbridge Inc.’s plans to reroute a northern Wisconsin pipeline prematurely.

Line 5 runs from Superior to Ontario, crossing about 12 miles of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s reservation in Ashland County. The tribe sued the company in 2019 to force it to remove the section of line on the reservation.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/ap-environmental-groups-question-enbridge-pipeline-hearing/

The Associated Press

Whitmer’s Dilemma: How to shut down Line 5, avoid a legal swamp and keep Northern Michigan happy

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer doesn’t need another crisis.

For six of her 18 months in office she’s been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic that grips Michigan and shows few signs of abating. Then came a May rain deluge that contributed to the failure of an already dangerous dam that displaced 10,000 people.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/whitmer-michigan-dilemma-line-5-northern-michigan/

Gary Wilson

Michigan judge allows restart of disputed Line 5 oil pipeline

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan judge Wednesday allowed Enbridge to resume pumping oil through a Midwestern pipeline, nearly a week after shutting it down because of damage to a structure that anchors a section of the line running through a Great Lakes channel.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/ap-michigan-judge-restart-line-5-oil-pipeline/

The Associated Press

Judge shuts down energy pipeline in Michigan’s Great Lakes

DETROIT (AP) — A judge shut down an energy pipeline in Michigan’s Great Lakes on Thursday, granting a request from the state after the owner reported problems with a support piece far below the surface.

Enbridge Inc. has not provided enough information to Michigan officials to show that continued operation of the west leg of the Line 5 twin pipeline is safe, Ingham County Judge James Jamo said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/ap-judge-shuts-down-energy-pipeline-michigan-great-lakes/

The Associated Press

Michigan asks judge to shut Enbridge pipeline in Great Lakes

MACKINAW CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s attorney general on Monday asked a judge to shut down a pipeline in the Great Lakes after an energy company discovered that an anchor support had shifted deep below the surface.

Enbridge Inc. insists the Line 5 pipeline itself was not damaged, and the company resumed the flow of oil and natural gas liquids in the west leg of the twin system Saturday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/ap-michigan-judge-shut-enbridge-pipeline/

The Associated Press

After an unknown incident caused Enbridge Energy to shut down the east leg of Line 5 last week, Attorney General Dana Nessel has requested that the entire pipeline be temporarily shut down until the damage is investigated further.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/06/23/michigan-attorney-general-wants-line-5-shut-down-until-damage-is-investigated/

Guest Contributor

After an unknown incident caused Enbridge Energy to shut down the east leg of Line 5 last week, Attorney General Dana Nessel has requested that the entire pipeline be temporarily shut down until the damage is investigated further.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/06/23/michigan-attorney-general-wants-line-5-shut-down-until-damage-is-investigated/

Guest Contributor

Whitmer demands answers from Enbridge on pipeline damage

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer demanded Friday that Enbridge Energy provide proof that the damage to one of its dual oil pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac will not pose a threat to the area.

The Alberta, Canada-based company closed its Line 5 pipeline under the straits on Thursday after discovering that the anchor support had shifted from its original position, company spokesman Ryan Duffy said Friday in a statement.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/ap-michigan-whitmer-enbridge-pipeline-damage/

The Associated Press

Court: Michigan Great Lakes tunnel deal constitutional

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that legislators did not violate the state constitution by allowing construction of an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes, clearing the way for the project to proceed unless another court intervenes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/ap-court-michigan-great-lakes-tunnel-enbridge-line-5/

The Associated Press

Pollution, Permits: Enbridge, Michigan grapple with Line 5 tunnel project

The controversial project to replace the existing 67-year-old Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac with a pipeline in a tunnel under the straits remains an issue between Enbridge Energy and the state of Michigan.

A new point of contention in the project is a new permit that would allow Enbridge to withdraw water from the Great Lakes and discharge wastewater.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/pollution-permits-enbridge-michigan-line-5-tunnel-project/

Gary Wilson

May 8, 2020

This week: Trump Administration Sued By States Over Rollbacks On Water Protection + Pipeline Permit Stalled + Illinois Sues Hilco After Implosion In Little Village + Transboundary Plants – Emitting Pollution And Causing Cancer + PFAS Virtual Town Hall for Pellston, Michigan

Trump Administration Sued By States Over Rollbacks On Water Protection

In response to the Trump Administration’s disregard of the Clean Water Act, 17 states filed a lawsuit.  States claim the rollbacks of regulations ignore science and pose devastating risks to our waterways and public health.  As a result, regulations default to states to set their own standards, making states with weaker laws more at risk of pollution and water quality degradation.


Pipeline Permit Stalled

Last week, we shared that the Canadian energy company Enbridge was proceeding to repair the Line 5 pipeline that spans the Straits of Mackinac and simultaneously working on plans to construct a tunnel.  State officials denied the utility tunnel permit for incomplete information. Additional details on the exact size of the tunnel and other specifications were requested by the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment.


Illinois Sues Hilco After Implosion In Little Village

The Illinois Attorney General is suing Hilco Redevelopment for causing air pollution after the company and its contractors left Little Village residents covered in debris after demolition of a 95-year old smokestack. Residents were exposed to respiratory disease due to compromised air quality.  Local leaders contend that the city of Chicago be accused for allowing the project to occur during a time when residents are urged to stay at home.


Transboundary Plants – Emitting Pollution And Causing Cancer

A proposed ferrochrome plant in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario (commonly referred to as the Soo) has raised concerns about the public health impacts. The plant will make stainless steel from the mineral chromite that is being mined in the region and produces chromium-6 in the smelting process, the toxic chemical of notoriety raised by the environmental activist, Erin Brockovich. This in-depth article investigates the historic industrial pollution from a tannery in the Soo on the US side and the ongoing pollution from the existing steel plant in Ontario.  The Soo area has a high rate of cancer and many residents are concerned that the proposed plant will contribute more harmful pollution.


PFAS Virtual Town Hall for Pellston, Michigan

On May 13th, 2020 a virtual live town hall meeting is scheduled to address the PFAS contamination investigation in Pellston. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), will be updating local residents on recent discoveries. Previously, over half of the locations tested for PFAS contamination in the Pellston area indicated elevated PFAS levels. To learn more about MPART’s upcoming virtual meeting, click here.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-weekly-may-18-2020/

Alexis Smith

Army Corps to hear from public on Enbridge pipeline plan

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to hear from the public on Enbridge’s proposal to build an oil pipeline tunnel beneath Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac after determining the company submitted a complete application.

The Corps’ Detroit district office has scheduled a public comment period on the plan.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-army-corps-public-comment-enbridge-line-5-pipeline/

The Associated Press

Permit Pause: Michigan regulatory agency wants more info on Line 5

The state agency that has to green light Enbridge Energy’s controversial pipeline in a tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac hit the pause button on the process last week when it told the company it needs additional information.

The new pipeline would replace the 67-year-old existing Line 5 that runs through the bottom of the straits.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/permit-michigan-egle-enbridge-line-5/

Gary Wilson

Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: Toxic coal ash, utility company water withdrawal, Line 5

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

In this edition: Chicagoans furious after smokestack demolition releases dust in Little Village, toxic coal ash to remain on Michigan shorelines indefinitely as coal plants close, Minnesota and Wisconsin natural gas plant opting away from water withdrawal for cooling purposes, Ohio consumer advocate pushing to divert energy efficiency funds to COVID-19 relief payments, and Enbridge’s project to replace part of its Line 5 pipeline under the St.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-energy-line-5-coal-ash-demolition-water-withdrawals/

Ian Wendrow

Enbridge seeks permits to build Great Lakes oil tunnel

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge Inc. applied Wednesday for state and federal authorization to construct an oil pipeline tunnel beneath the Michigan waterway that connects two of the Great Lakes.

The Canadian company wants to build a roughly 4-mile-long (6.4-kilometer-long) tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/ap-enbridge-permits-great-lakes-oil-pipeline-tunnel/

The Associated Press

Enbridge to move forward with tunnel permitting amid pandemic, Interlochen Public Radio reports

By Kaye LaFond, Interlochen Public Radio

Enbridge Energy will not delay submitting permits for its controversial Great Lakes Tunnel Project because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tribal governments that oppose the project want Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to slow the process down. They say it’s impossible to prepare for public comment and official tribal consultations when most tribal staff are sheltering in place.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/enbridge-move-forward-tunnel-permitting-covid-19/

GLN Editor

Enbridge hires companies to design, build Great Lakes tunnel

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge Inc. said Friday it has hired companies to design and build a disputed oil pipeline tunnel beneath the channel linking Lakes Huron and Michigan, despite pending legal challenges.

The Canadian company is forging ahead with plans to begin construction work next year on the tunnel, which would replace twin pipes that have lain across the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan since 1953.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-enbridge-hires-contractors-design-build-great-lakes-tunnel/

The Associated Press