Judge Orders Line Five to Remain Closed

The controversial Enbridge Line Five Pipeline will remain mostly shut down – for now.

Yesterday, Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Jamo ordered that the preliminary injunction that had stopped the flow a few days ago remain in effect until the state and the company sort out what happened after some damage was discovered in the stretch that crosses the floor of the Straits of Mackinac.

Enbridge shut both sides of the dual-tube pipeline down when a problem was found with an anchor support on the east leg. The company then reopened the west leg, without notifying the state.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who wants the pipeline shut down permanently, says Enbridge failed to provide critical information. Jamo’s order requires that information to be provided.

The east leg will remain closed until repairs are completed. The west leg will be allowed to reopen for a limited time, so it can be inspected. Results of that inspection must be provided to the state within seven days of its completion.