Michigan Supreme Court rejects Enbridge Line 5 permit

The United States — Michigan Supreme Court, in a 6-1 decision, ordered the United States — Michigan Public Service Commission to reconsider a key permit that allowed Enbridge to build a tunnel to house its Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac in the Great Lakes. The court ruled that the commission failed to consider whether the tunnel would extend the pipeline's lifetime and cause more environmental harm, and that it did not adequately compare alternatives or assess impacts on public trust rights. The decision further clouds the future of the 73-year-old pipeline, which carries petroleum from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. Enbridge, which proposed the tunnel nearly a decade ago, said it is reviewing its legal options and expressed disappointment over the delay. Environmental groups and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have long sought to shut down the pipeline, citing spill risks. The ruling is a setback for Enbridge and a victory for opponents, including tribal nations and environmental advocates.