LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Enbridge issued a strong response Tuesday to Governor Whitmer’s attempt to close the Line 5 dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac.
In a letter responding to Michigan’s November 13 notice, Vern Yu, Enbridge Executive Vice President wrote:
Our dual lines in the Straits are safe and in full compliance with the federal pipeline safety standards that govern them.
Enbridge says both lines were reviewed and approved for operation by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration back in June and September of 2020. Yu further stated that Enbridge has no intention of shutting down the pipelines based on what he calls the State’s unspecified allegations and its violation of federal law.
The Company has requested that the United States District Court dismiss the State of Michigan’s action in that the revocation of the easement is contrary to federal law and that pipeline safety resides with the federal Pipeline Safety Act and its enforcement is the responsibility of an expert federal agency (PHMSA).
The Notice ignores scientific evidence and is based on inaccurate and outdated information – Mr. Yu wrote of the State’s action
In his letter, Mr. Yu wrote that the State acted unlawfully in issuing the Notice to revoke and terminate the 1953 easement by attempting to upend federal jurisdiction.
