U.S. Supreme Court Reviews Michigan Line 5 Pipeline Jurisdiction Dispute

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether the lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to shut down the Line 5 pipeline should be heard in state or federal court. The case centers on whether Enbridge Energy LP missed a 30-day deadline to move the lawsuit from state to federal court, with the Sixth Circuit ruling that Enbridge's 2021 removal attempt was too late and the case belongs in state court. Enbridge argues that the case involves federal issues related to international treaties and pipeline safety regulations, which they claim warrant federal court jurisdiction, and that exceptions to the 30-day removal deadline exist. Michigan officials maintain the lawsuit is based on state law and environmental concerns regarding the pipeline's risk to the Great Lakes, particularly the Straits of Mackinac, where the pipeline runs underwater. The Supreme Court's decision will resolve conflicting appellate court rulings on removal deadlines and jurisdiction, and could determine the future legal venue for this high-stakes environmental and energy dispute. Meanwhile, Enbridge continues work on a $500 million tunnel project to house the pipeline beneath the straits to mitigate environmental risks.