Enbridge defends handling of Line 5 under Strait in Michigan

Enbridge Inc. said June 22 it would defend itself against what it described as an unnecessary attempt by Michigan’s governor and attorney general to obtain a court order blocking a resumption of operations of the company’s Line 5 dual pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac.

The lines carry about 540,000 b/d of crude oil and propane through a 4.5-mile crossing beneath the straits from the northern peninsula to the main peninsula of the state.

Enbridge had noted June 18 some disturbance of a support anchor—a shifting of its position—on the east leg of the underwater lines. No damage was found to other anchors or to the pipelines themselves. The company shut down both legs as a precaution, then restarted the west leg June 20 after an inspection found no harm to it.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer objected to the restart of the west leg, and Enbridge responded June 21 with a letter to her from Chief Executive Officer Al Monaco saying the company was working closely with its federal regulator, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which did not object to the restart plan. He pledged to share with her administration all information as it became available.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed motions June 22 requesting a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction preventing operation of either of the twin pipelines until the state could conduct a full review of information concerning damage to one leg of the underwater lines.

“The temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction sought by the Attorney General of Michigan is legally unsupportable, unnecessary, and will be vigorously opposed by Enbridge,” a company press release said.

Whitmer and Nessel, both Democrats, were elected to their offices in 2018. Both promised during their campaigns that they would shut Line 5 down if elected.